Frustrated over labor shortages several members of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses want the state to ween recipients off federally enhanced unemployment benefits and direct the money elsewhere, like incentives for people to get back to work. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn McVea said labor shortages are impeding recovery for many businesses.
“The need for qualified workers is 44% and it has been for the past three months, and it’s never that high. That is twice as high as it usually is,” said McVea.
McVea said they are looking to propose a measure like Montana, which enacted a hiring bonus of $1,200 and elimination of federal enhancements to unemployment benefits.
“And giving incentives to return to work, kind of a bonus after you’ve worked for so long. You get a bonus and keep that job,” said McVea.
Opponents like Louisiana Budget Project said businesses are unable to find enough qualified workers because they fail to pay a fair wage. McVea said but some members report they have increased wages.
“Thirty percent are reporting that they are paying higher wages already than they were last year and 20% are saying that they are planning to raise wages in the next three months,” said McVea.
McVea said they are working with Monroe Representative Michael Echols to put forth an amendment to curb federal unemployment incentives on bills looking to make changes to current state unemployment benefits.
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