Posted on 09/09/2011 6:25:38 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
President Obama announced Thursday night that he is looking to reform and extend unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, pitching a national job training program modeled on one already underway in Georgia.
That program, called Georgia Work$, has been hailed as a major success by state labor officials. President Obama even cited it in a recent speech as an example of a "smart" program for putting people back to work. Critics, however, contend that the program's benefits may be overblown, and some worry that the program itself may violate federal labor laws.
A key part of Obama's jobs plan is to extend unemployment benefits and take steps to get the long-term unemployed. The American Jobs Act would encourage states to copy programs like Georgia Works, or innovate new ones of their own. According to the White House, Obama's plan "requires compliance with applicable minimum wage and other worker rights laws."
Launched in 2003, Georgia Works, places unemployed Georgians into unpaid training programs with participating businesses, and allows businesses to eventually turn their trainees into full-time employees. Through the voluntary program, which lasts up to eight weeks, participants who work at least 24 hours per week are given a $240 weekly stipend from the state on top of their unemployment benefits.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Goodness, when unemployment “benefits” are extended indefinitely, is it accurate to keep calling it “unemployment”? Shouldn’t it be called “non employment” or something?
FUBO GTFO ! 499 Days until Noon Jan 20, 2013 - Hell Yes, change is coming!
My husband took part in this program after 13 mills in our three county area moved to Brazil in 2007 through 2009.
This is a company’s welfare program. They get free labor and the worker gets less than minimum wage. These jobs are mindless jobs, and most companies are not looking for any new “employees”, but they’ll sure take some free workers. But what they do (and who couldn’t see this coming?!?) is work the person for their 8 weeks, claim they don’t want them and turn around to pick another 8 weeks of free labor. All on the taxpayers back.
I’m for corporations, I’m for profits, but I also feel that we are at a standstill as long as companies are willing to abuse the system. For the life of me, I never understand the venom against those on food stamps or TANF but none held for the corporations making far more money off of government corporate welfare.
There is a large pool of unemployed, and all of them are hurting economically. I feel for them. But the long term unemployed..those who haven't been able to find a job..it's probably because they don't have the skills that employers need, or they're not the best possible employees. So the government, in it's infinite wisdom wants to provide an economic incentive for a business to hire someone who's most likely NOT the best possible candidate..
RE: My husband took part in this program after 13 mills in our three county area moved to Brazil in 2007 through 2009.
Thanks for the info autumnraine. Bottom line — DID IT HELP YOUR HUSBAND GET ANOTHER MORE STABLE JOB?
Also, How did the others who participated in the program eventually fare?
No, we ended up starting a business that is barely scraping by. We created our own damn job. Just pray we keep it because this area is so destitute (again, THIRTEEN MILLS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE PRE CIVIL WAR IS GONE along with four shifts X 13 mills worth of workers’ jobs) that people aren’t eating out, so restaurants aren’t hiring. People can’t afford to shop the local stores, so aren’t hiring and shutting doors fast. And because of Fed cutting state school supplements, property taxes just double last year and intend on doubling again this year. Even with the town meeting and everyone squealing and threatening to move.
Yeah, that program has been a REAL success. /s
Ken, does that mean that prior to 2008, 25% or so of all workers were “not the best”? Yet, they were employed, the economy was doing just fine, productivity was high, and so were corporate profits and stock prices.
Could someone list the skills that are needed, today? I keep reading anecdotes from folks with degrees and experience and even with good job reviews who have now been out of work long enough that they will never be rehired in their previous positions and have joined the ranks competing for part-time or low-paid jobs.
We are self employed. We have hung on to about 1/2 of our previous business. This is in an area not all that hard hit by the Depression. One business is in local markets with 2 locations, one is in national markets. Our competition in both businesses has suffered more than we have. In the service business, it is because we offer something people value as necessary. In the manufacturing business, it comes down to a high name recognition in a niche market with no remaining competitors. We have also been able to slash operating and overhead costs, which took creativity.
I am not trying to be argumentative or snarky. I just don’t think the majority of the unemployed had marginal skills or were necessarily poor employees.
After a small amount of time the proper term is welfare. I don't mean that in a derogatory manner. I know some of these folks simply can't find work but methinks after 2 years most aren't even bothering to look.
If two candidates were identical in every regard, excedpt that one had ben out of work for 2 years, and one for 3 months..then the government program gives the employer an incentive to hire the long term unemployed guy...But suppose the recent guy is a "10" but the long term guy is a 7-8...a good hire, by every example....then the employer is incentivized to NOT make the optimum choice..
And it's the gummint taking YOUR tax $$ and using them to influence your choice...
Ok, thanx for the clarification.
And we trust the word of state labor officials because...?
AS I read this, the state is paying these people for up to 8 weeks so they can work for an employer who might decide to hire them.
The employer isn’t paying their salaries directly, but this is sort of a ‘test period’ for everyone to judge & see if there is a good fit between the job-the employer-& the employee.
Teying to make the employer pay also would be a double dip.
In most states, the employer must pay all the costs for state unemployment taxes.
What are the rates for such taxes in your state?
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