U.S. Labor Secretary Says More Needs To Be Done To Create Jobs

Washington, D.C., September 10, 2010 - U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis has told Voice of America that "a lot more" needs to be done to create jobs in the United States, but she defended the Obama administration's efforts, which she says have helped add more than 760,000 jobs over the past eight months. <!-- IMAGE -->

In an appearance on VOA's Spanish language TV program Foro Interamericano (Inter-American Forum), the Labor Secretary said there have been "improvements in the manufacturing, health, technology and construction sectors," and President Obama is trying to fund more projects that bring jobs to the United States.

In a separate English language VOA interview, Ms. Solis said, "I know it isn't quick enough, because we have 14-million out of work." But she said there are "streams of growth" in sectors of the economy like renewable energy technology, where investment and training programs are being focused.

In her interview with Foro Interamericano, Ms. Solis also said the administration would continue to push for immigration reform. "President Obama wants to see this happen," she said. Ms. Solis said the administration wanted to convince Republicans in the U.S. Senate to support reform efforts, which she says are important for "the nation, the economy, and the Hispanic community." The unemployment rate among Hispanics is about 12-percent, the highest of all ethnic groups.

Foro Interamericano is a 60-minute weekly TV discussion forum on current issues in the United States and around the world. The program features news and interviews with policy makers, along with roundtable discussions with journalists. The program airs Fridays at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1330 UTC). VOA Spanish language programs are also available at www.voanews.com/spanish.

Excerpts from the English language interview will be available on www.voanews.com. Click on Money in Motion.

The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 125 million people. Programs are produced in 44 languages and are intended exclusively for audiences outside of the United States.

For more information, call VOA Public Relations at (202) 203-4959, or e-mail askvoa@voanews.com.