United States: more than 26 million unemployed, a record

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In the United States, the economic situation continues to deteriorate. The new unemployment figures have just fallen with 4.5 million additional job seekers. This brings the total number of people looking for work in five weeks to 26 million.

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With our correspondent in New York ,  Loubna Anaki

It is now a permanent reminder of the scale of the crisis that has affected the United States since the start of the epidemic. For the fifth consecutive week, unemployment is increasing and is said to affect 16% of the country's active population today.

In total, almost 26.5 million people have lost their jobs. A record figure. Experts say the U.S. has lost all the jobs created since the 2008 crisis.

A high demand that the system has trouble managing. Allocation platforms are overwhelmed by phone calls. Some applicants still wait for their first financial assistance check one month after registering.

The financial envelope voted by the Congress a few weeks ago was to support these families affected by the loss of employment as well as small businesses and small businesses to enable them to keep their employees. Some of this aid had ended up in large groups, provoking much criticism.

Another $ 484 billion in financial aid is currently under discussion in the House of Representatives and is expected to be voted on this week. A critical situation which will no doubt increase the already very strong tensions around the lifting of containment measures and the revival of the economy.

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• United States
• Employment and Work
• Coronavirus