In a speech that occurred just as the disappointing March jobs data were released, one of the Federal Reserve‘s most dovish members helped explain why curing what ails the labor market is so important to the central bank.

Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren used remarks in Boston Friday morning to note in some detail the scars unemployment leaves on those who find themselves jobless.

Time out of work can depress wages for years to come, the official said. Lost earnings can weigh on overall growth over time, especially when unemployment is high and has been for a long time. Because of this, Mr. Rosengren argued the Fed must press forward for the remainder of 2013 with its campaign of bond buying, in a bid to drive up growth and quicken the pace of hiring.