Manufacturing major factor in rising Iowa jobless claims

Unemployment claims in Iowa increased last week by almost 4,000, Iowa Workforce Development said Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on the economy.

Iowans filed 11,125 new claims, with 137,036 continuing claims between July 5 and 11.

The new claims are an increase from 9,957 the previous week. The continuing claims are an increase from 134,125 the previous week.

The previous week's numbers were initially higher but revised after review by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Manufacturing has been a rising source of unemployment claims, more than doubling in the last three weeks. Last week, the sector accounted for 4,471 claims. Three weeks ago, it accounted for fewer than 2,000 claims.

Self-employed and independent contractors also accounted for 1,128 claims last week, followed by health care and social assistance, 793; accommodation and food services, 661; and construction, 564.

The claims resulted in $121.6 million in state and federal unemployment benefits.

The numbers include only those actively seeking work and do not necessarily give a full picture of how many people are out of work during the pandemic.

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