WASHINGTON: Federal Reserve policymakers were sharply divided in their last meeting over how much the US jobs market has improved, a key factor in deciding how soon they should tighten policy.

Some participants in the July 29-30 meeting felt the sharp fall in the unemployment rate was a good indicator of the improving situation.

But others said the high numbers of long-term unemployed and part-time workers represented continued weakness, according to minutes of that meeting released on Wednesday.