Analysis: Push to end pandemic benefits may not be panacea for US labor shortage By Reuters – Investing.com

  • Date: 11-Jun-2021
  • Source: Investing.com
  • Sector:Economy
  • Country:Gulf
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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.