According to the auditor general, as the public sector represents around 30% of the total labour work force, its health and well being is crucial to the effective delivery of public services.

BBC: Sick leave in NI public sector costs economy ?149m

The unemployment number just looks at those actively looking for work, therefore if labour force participation stays low it will only take modest job growth to be responsible for the unemployment rate to enjoy a significant decline.

FORBES: Non Farm Payroll Powered By Private Sector

The participation rate, the share of the labour force either working or looking for work, has declined steadily since 2007, though it ticked up ever so slightly in September, to 63.6% (see chart).

ECONOMIST: There was one bright spot for the president