New York: Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in March, and the unemployment

rate was little changed at 5.0 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported  recently. Employment increased in retail trade, construction, and health  care. Job losses occurred in manufacturing and mining.

In February 2016, the unemployment rate was 4.9%.   In January the unemployment rate dropped below 5% for the first time since 2008 and had remained there for the first two months of the year.

In March, labor force participation inched up to 63%, up 0.6% since September of last year.