|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it is
granting Pennsylvania up to $7 million to assist approximately 680 workers who
lost their jobs due to widespread flooding in January.
"I am pleased that my Administration can offer assistance
to these workers in this time of need," said President Clinton. "The
combination of flooding and now bitter cold makes it all the more important
that this aid is available."
Vice President Albert Gore said, "What was damaged or
destroyed in a few days of terrible devastation will require months of careful
repair and restoration. These funds will help workers in the flood areas resume
their own worklives while they address the urgent needs of their
communities."
"I want to express my concern for the people of
Pennsylvania in this difficult time," Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich added,
"but I am distressed by proposals in Congress that would restrict significantly
the Federal government's ability to respond to the needs of dislocated workers
in the future."
The award is authorized under emergency provisions of the
Job Training Partnership Act to fund special temporary jobs that would benefit
the public and help dislocated workers resume regular employment. The program
will cover workers in at least 45 counties that have been declared eligible for
public assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Participants will
work for up to six months with public or private non-profit agencies to help
with clean-up, repair and restoration efforts.
Workers may also receive reemployment services such as
assessment and job search assistance, as well as supportive services such as
day care assistance and transportation assistance during the project. Long-term
unemployed individuals and other dislocated workers in these areas also may be
served under this grant. For information on where to apply for jobs in this
project, individuals can call the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
at a toll-free number: 1-800-982-7567.
Pennsylvania residents who lost their jobs due to the
floods also may be eligible for unemployment insurance or disaster unemployment
assistance. Both provide weekly unemployment payments.
The dislocated worker program is a comprehensive approach
to assist workers who have been, or are about to be, laid off for reasons such
as technological change, natural disasters, foreign competition or government
actions. In general, such workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return
to their previous industry or occupation.
Budget proposals in Congress for Fiscal Year 1996 (which
began Oct. 1, 1995) would cut funding for dislocated worker programs by 34
percent to $850 million. As a result, 246,000 fewer Americans would be able to
benefit from employment and training support this year.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
