Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
Georgia Department of
Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032
October 20, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALMA AREA WORKERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRA/NAFTA BENEFITS
ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that former employees of Raider Apparel, Inc. in Alma may be eligible for compensation under provisions of either the federal Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 or the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act of 1993.
About 80 workers, engaged in the production of women's dresses, pants, pantsuits, jackets, men's jackets and children's buntings and dance costumes, may be affected. The plant is currently closed.
Claims for these workers may be filed on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Satilla Rural Electric at 101 West 17th St. in Alma. The Georgia Department of Labor office that serves the area is at 600 Plant Ave. in Waycross. The office telephone number is (912) 285-6105. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and NAFTA petitions, both certified on Aug. 3 by the U. S. Department of Labor, were filed on behalf of the employees of the company who lost their jobs due to foreign import competition. The petitions cover workers who became totally or partially separated from their jobs on or after April 14, 1998. TAA provides assistance to workers impacted by imports from any foreign country, while NAFTA provides assistance to workers affected because of imports from Canada and Mexico or shifts in production from the United States to those countries. Workers covered under both TAA and NAFTA petitions must choose under which program to file claims.
Under the federal law, former workers who are determined to be eligible could receive a total of 78 weeks of jobless benefits, which would include 26 weeks of regular unemployment
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Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
compensation, plus up to 52 weeks of Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) or NAFTA benefits. Under the TAA program, eligible recipients must be either enrolled in approved training, or have that requirement waived, to receive the weekly federal benefits. There are no waivers of training under the NAFTA program. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $264.
Claimants may also receive other assistance, including employment counseling, testing, job search grants, placement services and relocation benefits. All available benefits will be discussed individually with each claimant at the time the claim is filed.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION SHOULD CALL THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AT (404) 656-3032.
E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.
FY-00-210
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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