Kathmandu. The unemployment rate in the United States is rising. The unemployment rate rose in September, according to the monthly employment report published on Thursday.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 119,000 jobs were added in August, but the unemployment rate rose marginally to 4.4 percent from 4.3 percent in September last year.

Data for August showed the employment situation was more disappointing than expected. According to the report, the US is expected to add 22,000 more jobs this month, but 4,000 jobs are being lost.

The 43-day government shutdown in the US has led to a drop in the employment rate. The job market is weakening amid the business turmoil caused by the mass sacking of federal workers and President Donald Trump’s policy of imposing higher tariffs on imports.

This is the final monthly employment report ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting in December. Officials will be able to decide whether to cut interest rates for the third consecutive year.

The central bank is also trying to tame inflation, but a weak job market could push the Fed into further rate cuts to boost the economy.

Thursday’s report showed that the federal government’s jobless number fell by 3,000 from the previous month and by 97,000 from January.

Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% to $36.67 in September.