Black and Hispanic workers constituted 44 percent of the 437,000 people who joined the labor force.

Similar problems face Hispanic workers, particularly those who are undocumented.

He also has agreed with city officials to hire black and Hispanic workers.

Now there are growing numbers of Chinese and Hispanic workers.

Many of the 4,500 city positions that either have been eliminated or will be soon are held by black and Hispanic workers, he said.

The rate among black and Hispanic workers dropped to record lows.

Joblessness among Hispanic workers, 6.8 percent, also remained close to a record low.

And part of the problem is cultural, some Hispanic workers say.

Hispanic workers, for example, are assumed to be foreign born and lazy.

"We certainly see a lot of Hispanic workers," she said, "but they are probably not living in traditional household units."