Washington (awp/afp) – Employers in the United States, which have faced a labor shortage for more than two years, are still having difficulty recruiting, but are seeing an improvement in the situation in certain sectors, according to a Fed survey released Wednesday.
“Employment has increased in most regions, but at a slower pace than in previous reports,” the US central bank (Fed) pointed out in its “Beige Book”, a barometer of activity carried out in its twelve regions.
Company managers interviewed again reported “difficulties in finding workers across a wide range of skill levels and industries”.
But they also pointed to “easier hiring in construction, transportation and finance.”
“Many “managers interviewed even reported full headcount,” and some said they were suspending hiring or reducing headcount due to lower actual or potential demand or greater uncertainty. about the economic outlook”.
Recruitment firms “reported slower growth in demand.”
Wages continued to increase “modestly”.
The survey was carried out at the end of April and in May, until the 22nd.
The May unemployment rate in the United States will be published on Friday. A very slight rebound in this rate is expected, to 3.5% against 3.4% in April, and fewer job creations (188,000 against 253,000).
The Beige Book further showed that “economic activity was little changed overall”, with growth expectations “deteriorating slightly, although contacts still widely expected further expansion in the economy”. activity”.
In addition, “contacts in several regions have noted an increase in delinquencies on consumer loans, income closer to pre-pandemic levels”, details the document.
Indeed, it is specified, “high inflation and the end of social benefits linked to Covid-19 have continued to weigh on the budgets of low and middle income households, leading to increased demand for social services, in particular food and of accommodation”.
afp/rp
2023-05-31 20:01:03
#USA #recruitment #improving #sectors #Fed
