Obama calls for 'urgent' response to job loss figures

WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama on Friday called for "urgent" measures to put people back to work and to stimulate the US economy after the release of the worst job loss figures in 34 years.

"There are not quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better," Obama warned in a statement.

"But now is the time to respond with urgent resolve to put people back to work and get our economy moving again," Obama said.

"The 533,000 jobs lost last month, the worst job loss in 34 years, is more than a dramatic reflection of the growing economic crisis we face.

"Each of those lost jobs represents a personal crisis for a family somewhere in America."