CBIA Response to April 2022 Employment Report

The state’s largest business organization issued the following response to today’s release of the April 2022 employment report.

“Connecticut’s year-to-date job growth is 0.7%, half the national rate and the slowest of the New England region,” said Eric Gjede, vice president of public policy at CBIA.

“The slow, uncertain pace of our recovery must be addressed by candidates for governor and the General Assembly on the campaign trail this year with meaningful policy solutions.

“At this rate, we will not recover all jobs lost to pandemic shutdowns and restrictions for at least another 18 months—and that’s assuming that fears of a recession are not realized.

“Our recovery remains a fragile one, with manufacturing gains and seasonal growth in leisure and hospitality last month offsetting concerning losses in the trade, transportation, and utilities, information, and professional and business services sectors.

“Employers are dealing with numerous challenges, including inflation, supply chain disruptions, the surge in COVID positivity rates, and the labor shortage crisis, which is magnified in Connecticut.

“Our labor force is down by more than 62,000 people since February 2020, which represents almost half the region’s losses and 12% of the national decline, while employers are trying to fill 110,000 open jobs.”

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 Ali Warshavsky (860.244.1929).