Workers affected by foreign competition eligible for job help

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that about 4,000 workers from companies in 18 states — Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia — are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

“Direct foreign competition is resulting in reduced hours and layoffs for workers in a variety of industries across the country,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Trade Adjustment Assistance is one way we can help these individuals re-enter the work force in promising industries that pay good wages.”

Workers covered by these latest Trade Adjustment Assistance certifications will be contacted by their respective states with instructions on how to apply for individual benefits and services. Those who apply may receive case management and re-employment services, training in new occupational skills and trade readjustment allowances that provide income support for workers enrolled in training.

Some workers also may receive job search and relocation allowances, and the Health Coverage Tax Credit.

Workers 50 and older may elect to receive Re-employment Trade Adjustment Assistance. If a worker obtains new employment at wages less than $55,000 and less than those earned in adversely affected employment, the RTAA program will pay 50 percent of the difference between the old wage and the new wage, up to $12,000 over a two-year period.

RTAA participants also may be eligible for retraining and the HCTC.