PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Carmon Cunningham
(617) 728-4446
ccunningham@jff.org
NATIONAL SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO HELP LOW-INCOME WORKERS HURT BY ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN
Poll Finds Widespread Support for Helping Laid-Off Workers with Health
Care Coverage, Employment Benefits, and New Government Work Programs
Washington, DC,
November 1, 2001
With
the biggest one-month jump in unemployment in more than 21 years,
Americans overwhelmingly support strong federal programs to help
low-income workers affected by the current economic slowdown, according
to a national survey released by Jobs for the Future on Wednesday. (A
complete summary of the results of the survey is available on
www.jff.org. Click here to download the survey.
The
survey shows that Americans favor programs aimed at workers laid off
since the September 11 terrorist attack, including helping them keep
their health care coverage (91%), increasing unemployment benefits
(76%), and creating temporary government work programs (84%).
But
the survey also shows broad support for helping workers find and keep
good jobs over the long term. Majorities, for example, want the federal
government to help employers provide career training for their workers,
expand child-care assistance, and assist with job-related education
costs.
The
national survey of 803 Americans was conducted October 9-10, 2001 by
Lake Snell Perry & Associates on behalf of Jobs for Future, a
Boston-based policy and research organization. The survey was released
at a press conference at the National Press Club.
At
the press conference, leaders from business and labor spoke and
affirmed the need for short- and long-term strategies to help
low-income workers succeed in the labor market.
"The
U.S. economy will recover, yet Americans agree that the federal
government must assume two urgent responsibilities," said Marlene
Seltzer, president of Jobs for the Future. "First, those who have lost
their jobs as a result of the September 11 attack and the economic
downturn need immediate assistance. Second, we need longer-term
investments in areas like job training and child care in order for
hard-working Americans to be self-sufficient and to keep their families
out of poverty."
The
survey shows that support for federal programs to help low-income
Americans is shared by majorities of Democrats, Independents, and
Republicans, Seltzer noted.
At the press conference, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) released a
statement saying, "Temporary health coverage and job training for
laid-off workers are critical components of any economic stimulus. They
will help maintain the consumer purchasing power that is vital to the
nation's economic recovery, and it will ease the burden on the health
care sector. We need a realistic stimulus that puts money in the
pockets of those who will spend it," said Sen. Kennedy.
###
Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national research and policy organization
committed to helping our nation: enable low-income individuals
to advance into family-supporting careers, strengthen opportunities
for youth to succeed in post-secondary learning and high-skill
careers, and meet growing employer demand for knowledgeable and
skilled workers. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, JFF was founded
in 1984. For more information about JFF, please visit the Web
site at www.jff.org.
|
Click here to go back
