For many working Americans, the possibility of seeing real growth in their paychecks diminished further as the Labor Department reported on Friday that real wages only inched up 0.6 during the third quarter. The July- September period was an increase, however, over second quarter wage growth, which was barely growth, at 0.2 percent.

The statistics released by the Labor Department are part of the employment cost index. The index measures wages, benefits and salaries all across the country, according to The Washington Post. In reality, however, in the past year, wages have only gone up a measly 0.2 percent. According to analysts and historical data, an active and healthy economy should be reflecting pay raises in the 3.5-4 percent range. This indicates that despite all of the rosy outlooks from certain quarters, the economy remains sluggish with little hope for workers to make any wage gains.

The job market is not all that healthy despite the government’s optimistic unemployment figures. Businesses continue to layoff heavily every month and are not taking on workers. Those businesses that need workers, of which there are few, find them easily and are, also, finding that they don’t have to really pay them all that much.

The Federal Reserve, and others, look to wage increases as a sign that the economy is picking up and that layoffs will come in at lower levels. The government keeps releasing unemployment rates at around 5 percent. This, they say, is full employment. That just doesn’t seem to be the case, however. If the economy were stronger, wages would be higher as businesses would seek to keep their good workers and to attract capable new ones. This just hasn’t been happening.

While the government says 2.2 million jobs have been added this year so far, there are still over 9 million people out of work. This doesn’t, however, even count those working part time and are underemployed or those who have dropped out and stopped looking for work all together. If these people were counted, the unemployment rate the government declares would likely be at least doubled.