Analysis: Push to end pandemic benefits may not be panacea for US labor shortage By Reuters – Investing.com
Analysis: Push to end pandemic benefits may not be panacea for US labor shortage By Reuters – Investing.com
By Howard Schneider
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The 25 U.S. states calling an early halt to pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits have recovered more of the jobs lost during the crisis than other states, possibly limiting how much of a dent ending the weekly $300 payments will make in the national battle to fill record job vacancies.
Republicans have taken aim at the enhanced benefits, which were first approved by Congress in a massive relief package last year and later extended, arguing they discourage people from returning to work and are no longer needed given the easing pandemic. Four Republican-led states are ending the payments as of Saturday, with 21 others following suit through early July.