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The JOLTS report was delayed more than two weeks by the partial government shutdown, which ended Oct. 16. Competition for jobs remains tough, although it is improving slowly. In August, there were 2.91 unemployed people, on average, for each available job. That's down from a peak ratio of 6.7 to 1 in July 2009, one month after the Great Recession ended. And it's the lowest since August 2008, which was one month before the financial crisis intensified. In a healthy economy, the ratio is usually 2 to 1. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Vice Chair Janet Yellen, who President Barack Obama nominated this month to replace Bernanke, have both said they closely monitor the job openings report.
[Associated
Press;
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