CBIA Response to April 2023 Employment Report
The state’s largest business organization issued the following response to today’s release of the April 2023 employment report.
“The April employment report highlights the state’s labor market challenges,” CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said.
“We saw a loss of 900 jobs last month, while March’s previously reported gains of 1,100 jobs were revised down to a loss of 1,700 positions.
“However, the biggest concern is with the labor force, which declined by another 4,400 people last month and is now down 46,500 workers over the last 12 months.
“At the same time, job openings have increased to 104,000—yet we don’t have enough workers in the state to fill those positions, compounded by the mismatch between needed skills and availability.
“Employers have made major adjustments in wages, benefits, and workplace flexibility—our voluntary quits rate is now the fourth lowest in the country—but they cannot find enough workers.
“State lawmakers must use the last few weeks of the legislative session to address the factors driving the labor shortage.
“That means more aggressive policies to make Connecticut more affordable for residents and businesses, increasing housing inventory, improving the childcare system, and expanding career opportunities for all residents.”
CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).
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