Confusing, Pessimistic Job Market Reporting

From the NY Times:

The unemployment rate held steady at 9.7 percent, the Labor
Department said, but it is expected to worsen later this year
as discouraged workers re-enter the labor force.

I don't understand. If discouraged workers are re-entering the labor force (getting jobs, in other words), isn't that a good thing? Then why would the NY Times use the word "worsten" to describe people getting jobs? Shouldn't unemployment be looked at as a negative and people re-entering the labor force be seen as improving the unemployment rate?

Seems awfully backwards and pessimistic to me, as well as poorly written.