U.S. employers added a suprisingly solid 119,000 jobs in September, the government said, issuing a key economic report that had been delayed seven weeks by the federal government shutdown.

The September jobs report, which was delayed due to the government shutdown, comes amid a slowdown in hiring across the U.S.

U.S. employers added 119,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate inched up to 4.4%. The report, which was delayed by the government shutdown, may hint at the pace of hiring and firing.

The report reflects what was happening before the federal government shutdown began. The labor market may have changed since the data was collected.

September employment data — delayed seven weeks because of the shutdown — is expected to show another month of tepid jobs growth.

Policymakers at the central bank are at odds over the need to cut interest rates for a third straight meeting, as inflation picks up again and the labor market slows down.

A delayed jobs report shows U.S. employers added 119,00 jobs in September. Still, the unemployment rate inched up from 4.3% in August to 4.4%.

The September jobs report, delayed due to the government shutdown, showed the food services sector added more than 36,000 jobs for the month, more than any sector besides health care.

September jobs report reveals U.S. labor market losing steam with employment figures revised down by 33,000 for July and August, signaling economic concerns.