The US unemployment rate fell to a nearly 30-year low in October but the pace of hiring was moderate and wage growth was tame, making the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest-rate deliberations a tough call.
The Labour Department said yesterday that the jobless rate dipped to 4.1 per cent last month, the lowest since 3.9 per cent in January 1970, from 4.2 per cent in September.
The number of workers on US payrolls rose by 310,000 in October.
The department also said the number of workers rose by 41,000 in September, reversing the previously reported 8,000 decline.
Federal Reserve chairman Mr Alan Greenspan has made it clear he is keeping a close eye on the labour market for possible signs of inflationary pressures.
Federal Reserve open markets committee officials gather on November 16th to decide whether to boost US interest rates for a third time this year.
