Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
Georgia Department of
Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

December 26, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURMOND CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR JOBLESS WORKERS IN THE COASTAL GEORGIA AREA
ATLANTA --Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond today called on President Bush and Congress to quickly approve an extension of unemployment benefits. At the end of December, benefits will be cut off for 1,128 idled workers in the Coastal Georgia area. And, if no action is taken by the end of January, an additional 835 will lose benefits, bringing the total to 1,963.
In Georgia, benefits will be cut off for 25,586 idled workers at the end of December. And, if no action is taken by the end of January, an additional 17,000 will lose benefits, bringing the total to more than 42,000 statewide.
"While we continue to see limited improvement in job creation and unemployment, our state's job market is not yet strong enough to absorb many of those who were laid off following 9/11," said Thurmond. "I am concerned for the thousands of Georgia's long-term unemployed workers who are exhausting their benefits without being able to find jobs. I strongly urge President Bush and the U.S. Congress to extend benefits and thereby provide much-needed additional relief to these laid-off workers."
Earlier this year, Congress authorized a 13-week extension referred to as the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) benefits program, but that authorization runs out on Dec. 28. In Georgia, a total of 14,203 claimants will exhaust their extended benefits three days after Christmas. Unless the program is extended, another 11,383 claimants who would potentially be
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Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
eligible will exhaust their regular unemployment insurance benefits by Dec. 31.
On a positive note, the area's unemployment rate declined two-tenths of one percent to 3.6 percent in November, down from 3.8 percent in October. The area's rate was 3.2 percent in November 2001.
The state's unemployment rate declined three-tenths of one percent to 4.4 percent in November, down from 4.7 percent in October. The state's rate was 4.3 percent in November 2001. On the jobs front, seasonal hiring led to creation of 16,100 new jobs statewide in November.
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Tables and graphs reflecting Labor Market Data are available for download.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 656-3032.

E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.

FY-03-296

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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