|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871.
The 2,400 workers who lost their jobs overnight when an
explosion and wind-blown fire raged through a Methuen, Mass. textile plant
Monday night can now get help finding and training for new jobs.
Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich this morning authorized $1
million in emergency funds available immediately and up to $2.7 million in the
coming weeks for Malden Mills workers who need support for emergency health
care, child care or transportation or help assessing skills, job hunting or
retraining. Malden Mills produced a popular fabric used by companies as lining
for winter wear such as ski jackets.
þMany Malden Mills workers may still be in shock that
their jobs are gone,þ said Reich. þAlthough some may be able to
return to work there soon, others will find themselves without a paycheck just
days before the holidays and in the midst of the coldest time of year. They
will need help adjusting to their new, unwanted situation and planning for a
different future, and we want to see that they get that help now, when they
need it most.
þOnly because I have emergency funds at my discretion
are we able to give them this help within days of the accident. With the block
grant system under consideration in Congress, there would be no emergency bank
account of discretionary funds to allow quick reaction from the Labor
Department when disasters throw workers out of jobs.þ
The funds, available through the Job Training Partnership
Act, will be disbursed by the Industrial Services Program in Boston.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
