Unemployment on the rise in Yuma County

Yuma's unemployment rate is up despite ample job availability - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - While hiring signs are hanging all over Yuma County, unemployment claims are up from April to May this year according to Arizona@Work. Some local companies offer higher pay rates to entice qualified applicants.

Though unemployment is high, numbers are still better than this time last year.

"The last report that was released was at 17% for the month of May in 2021. Last year around this time, we were at about 21.5%. Of course, you notice that there is a little bit of a decrease compared to last year because of everything that we just went through," says Arizona@Work Business Services Consultant Moises Pimentel.

In spite of the extended unemployment benefits ending soon on July 10, companies are still having a hard time filling positions.

One business owner says there’s a reason unemployment is still high.

"Business owners that pay cash to people who are collecting benefits. That’s what’s hurting the economy. If everybody was to report everything on the books, then uh, we wouldn’t have this problem," explains Desert Water Owner David Lara.

But there is an end in sight.

"Now people are starting to pay attention. People starting to apply. They know it’s coming, so they’re starting to apply," says Lara.

Another business owner says he still needs good workers.

"We’ve kept some great employees. We have some great people. We got some great energy in the restaurant, but it’s also been hard trying to find certain people for different aspects of the restaurant," explains Broken Yolk Yuma Owner Roy Thompson.

They, along with many other local businesses are currently hiring. Arizona@Work is also holding a job fair for customer service positions at Convey Health Solutions located at 725 W 32nd St Ste 2, Yuma, AZ 85364 on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All you need to apply is a resume.

Some companies will continue to offer work-from-home positions while others are slowly returning to the office.