At the same time, the region added 1.3 million non-farm jobs, a 27 percent increase, though its manufacturing base has been slipping in recent years.

It also showed that the number of new non-farm jobs created in October was revised to 93,000, from 233,000.

The "household" survey, for example, showed a rise of 644,000 non-farm jobs last month.

The economy added 200,000 non-farm jobs last month, much higher than the average analyst estimate of 150,000.

Many of the men found it necessary to take non-farm jobs, especially in railway construction, while the women stayed behind to till the land.

In the US, 200,000 non-farm jobs added and an unemployment rate down to 8.5pc from 9.4pc a year ago.

The market consensus appears to be that the report will show a gain of 50,000 to 65,000 non-farm jobs.

He said some of the dealers felt the data would show strength in the number of non-farm jobs, which could support the dollar.

For example," he noted, "Washington said there was a decline of 184,000 non-farm jobs last month, or some 30,000 above most estimates.

The addition of 142,000 non-farm jobs was weaker than expected.