According to a Thursday report by the Georgia Department of Labor, there has been a near 95 percent year-on-year increase in the first time claims for unemployment insurance in June - with as many as 88,756 laid-off workers filing for the benefits.

The numbers acquired the worst proportions in the Georgia cities. The year-on-year increase in the number of people of metropolitan areas filing for first time claims was the highest in Rome with 181 percent; followed by Gainesville, 173 percent; Athens, 163 percent, and Atlanta 104 percent.

Meanwhile, the areas with the smallest increase in claims included Dalton with 48 percent; Albany, 66 percent; and Savannah, 69 percent.

Commenting on the increase in number of claims, the Georgia State Labor Commissioner, Michael Thurmond, said: "Rising unemployment continues to plague local economies throughout North Georgia. Fortunately, lay-offs in the hard-hit Dalton area appear to be moderating, although the recession-resistant Athens labor market experienced an unusually sharp increase in first-time jobless claims."

Most of the first time claims in Georgia, were filed by the laid-off workers in sectors including manufacturing; construction; wholesale and retail trade; and administrative and support services. Nearly 25,048 first-time claims were processed for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits - taking the figures to 226,574, ever since the federal program was started in Georgia in July last year.