Source: James Crowder & Sarah Treuhaft, NEWS & OBSERVER, 7/20/18


After searching unsuccessfully for months to find work in rural Lumberton, Regina Carmichael got a placement through a temp agency driving fork lifts at a factory two towns away for $7.95 an hour. Despite the low wages and two-hour commute, she was hopeful it would lead to permanent employment. But two years later, she still earns barely more than minimum wage “doing the same job as guys making $19.95 an hour.” Regina is far from alone. Despite the state’s overall low unemployment level of 4.4 percent as of April, many still struggle to find work, especially good jobs that…

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