The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady following the end of a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday generated the largest number of dissenting votes by governors at the central bank in just over three decades.

The two Federal Reserve governors who favored an interest rate cut at the U.S. central bank's policy meeting this week said on Friday they did so largely due to rising concerns about the job market, in statements made public just ahead of the release of hiring data that bolstered their position.