AUGUSTA -- Maine's unemployment rate in November was 6.3 percent, up from 5.7 percent for October and 4.9 percent for November last year.

"Maine labor market conditions weakened considerably in November as the national recession deepened," Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said today in a release.

Fortman said 2,400 jobs were lost between October and November, with most of the losses in retail trade and manufacturing. So far this year, 7,100 jobs have been lost.

Maine's unemployment rate is still lower than the national unemployment rate, which was 6.7 percent for November, up from 6.5 percent for October.

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