Minimum Wage Jobs Part of South Carolina’s New Draconian Unemployment Laws
Yesterday, we posted about new, punitive unemployment insurance laws being passed in South Carolina, a reaction (in the words of one Republican lawmaker) to “liberal, activist judges.”
Under the new laws, conditions like drug testing and community service- normally a consequence reserved for criminal offenders- will be imposed upon those who cannot find jobs in the state of South Carolina. What’s more, after a period of unemployment, many formerly middle class workers will be forced to take minimum wage jobs or risk losing their unemployment benefits.
If it sounds cruel to you, that could be because it is, and one social justice has pointed out the none-too-subtle parallels to the way the state wants to treat the unemployed and how criminals are treated- Sue Berkowitz of the Appleseed Legal Justice Center pointed out that the funds could be better directed in supporting day care programs and job development, and she explained:
“These are people who lost their jobs and want to support their families with dignity. We’re not sending the right message. We talk to them as if they’re already a criminal.”
Indeed, the measures would seem far less regressive if the country wasn’t experiencing record breaking unemployment rivaling that seen during the Great Depression. Democratic lawmaker in the state Sen. Kent Williams pointed out that for some of South Carolina’s unemployed, the jobs just aren’t there- and that a permanent ticket to minimum wage status is not the way to move forward:
“Someone with a college degree, we don’t want them to be taking out the trash. In the private sector, we see every day, people take jobs they’re less accustomed to. It’s just the way things are and the economy we’re living in today, but at the same time, we want to be careful not to let something good turn to something negative.”
Republican Senator Paul Campbell remarked that the measures were not intended to be punitive, but instead were meant to “help [unemployed people] go from the unemployed to employed ranks.” Do you think that the measures in South Carolina will help people get jobs that aren’t minimum wage?
[Image: Shutterstock]
Tags : kevin bryant, minimum wage south carolina, paul campbell, south carolina, Unemployment Benefits, unemployment benefits 2012, unemployment benefits and drug testing, unemployment benefits community service, unemployment benefits south carolina, unemployment benefits south carolina 2012
Posted: January 11, 2012
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Jan 11, 2012
Welfare recipients-yes. Unemployed-no.
Jan 11, 2012
I agree with Tammy.
Jan 11, 2012
This is wrong, especial if the loss of their job was due to the economic issues that has made unemployment sky rocket. By being forced to take a job at minimum wadge job will not only reduce their benefits if let go again,( due to another down turn of the economic state at this time) but it will also be degrading. Many that are on unemployment are struggling to make ends meet as it is; loosing homes, cars. and so forth. Treating them like a criminal is even more detrimental.
Jan 11, 2012
sounds entirely reasonable. If you want society to pay you for not working, society should know whether you are using drugs and actually looking for a job. A minimum wage job can be a way into a new field or help you find at least what you don't want to do.
Jan 11, 2012
Welfare Only
Jan 11, 2012
Many people do abuse the system but people who are unemployed need the time for their job search.
Jan 11, 2012
Well, South Carolina has to maintain its image of backward narrowmindedness. Especially since unemployment has recently spiked in the state.
Jan 11, 2012
Let's focus on welfare reccipents first and assess their situations before coming down on the unemployed. First things first.
Jan 11, 2012
Then you missed the part "after a period of unemployment" as in not right away. Time for them to start a job search. By then you will have had time to redo a resume. Community service can be done in some one's field not just picking up trash or serving in a soup kitchen. They can make new contacts working in their field and find a paying job by keeping their skills fresh and demonstrating them.
Jan 11, 2012
Sounds like a bigger over reach of government to me…btw, if you've had a job you pay into unemployment benefits and it's there AS INSURANCE! Same way if I have an accident in my car, I have insurance for that. Seems like a diversion tactic in order to hold the people actually responsible for this mess in the first place – start with our politicians who earn some pretty nice "bonuses" from special interest groups when corporations set up shop in India instead of Indiana. And who do you suppose approved the tax benefit for American companies to off shore their jobs? Should they have made the tax benefit if that company stayed on US soil? But they can't make obscene profits if they stay in the US. It's all about greed, folks…
Jan 11, 2012
This is just another way for the rich to get richer , while making the middle class work for less.Damn the whole bunch of biggots, who want to treat the unemployed like criminals, when they are the criminals that need to be in jail for all the crooked ways they make their money.
Jan 11, 2012
The REPUBLICANS approve this , go firgure.
Jan 11, 2012
First, to get 'FREE' money, what's the prob with a blood test? To get free food, What's the prob with a blood test. This isn't dracoonian, it is government looking out for taxpayer's money. You want free, be a lawabiding citizen. I have no fear of this. Especially in light of, I am asking for others to support me! They have a right to know the person they are supporting is a good citizen.
Jan 12, 2012
The company you work for pays into unemployment and the States regulate it. A big misconception people make is thinking they paid into this — check your pay stub-not a cent is taken out for this. States unemployment amounts are determined by how much you earned while employed, some formula they use that is pages long, but in the end the amount you get, is based on what you earned. The more money you make the bigger your Unemployment check is but there is a cap. When I got laid off I went from $4,000 a month in earning to $1,400 in unemployment – did I relax at home heck NO I have a house payment and bills I put in 50 application a week not included sending out my resume. I landed a job in 4 months (less money but I can pay my bills just not go out) If I was forced to get a 7.50 an hour job I would make 300 a week less than my UE and I would lose my house.
Read the unemployment laws for your state be informed. Since companies give money to the state for Unemployment insurance I'm thinking it is the companies pushing hard to get the bill passed so they don't have to pay. Be informed…………
And drug screening that is a waste of money placing more burden on the state and companies… in the end raises and position could be affected depending on who pays for this. And those are expensive.
Jan 12, 2012
So college educated people are too good to take out the trash. Somehow living only on unemployment is less demeaning that earning wages in addition to unemployment. I disagree. I don't believe that mandatory community service is the best way to go, drug testing and after a time mandating that the unemployed person take whatever job is available to contribute to there own household makes sence.
Jan 12, 2012
As stated above IMO, Welfare-yes, unemployment-no. Big difference between the two. When recieving unemployment benefits, you have paid in taxes for that purpose.
Jan 12, 2012
LOL, thank you Linda.
Jan 12, 2012
I'm not quite sure by your post if you are "for" or "against" due to your post being some-what contridicting. Just sayin…Although, I totally agree with your very first sentence for sure!!
Jan 12, 2012
By the way Jennifer in Michigan the employer pays into the unemployment insurance on each employees first $9000. The employers unemployment rate is based on how many people have drawn against your company. So it is not money that the employee has pulled from his pocket at all, it is a cost of doing business at least in Michigan.
Jan 12, 2012
Tammy Jarvis the first two sentences were ment to be sarcastic. let me make my position more clearly. Good job South Caroliana! In ref to requiring unemployment recepents to take minimum wage jobs: Regardless of one's educational background, one must still be responsable for ones self. Futhermore, i do not beleve that a college education makes the one holding it better that one who dose not. A job is a job.
Jan 12, 2012
Every one who gets support from tax payer funds should be drug tested. This includes judges, senetors, congressmen, presidents, policemen, fire fighters, all who depend on taxpayer funds for support. I'm a nurse, I've been peeing in a cup for 18 years. Nobody can live on minimum wage, especially people with kids who require childcare.
Jan 12, 2012
if the government hadn't fixed it so all our jobs go out of country we wouldn't be in this kind of mess. they are just wanting the percentage of the unemployment to look good on paper…………….
Jan 12, 2012
the reason is because it opens a very nasty door to a very very slippery slide..sounds great now, but when it turns out to be the precedent that leads to our abject slavery, second thoughts will be rampant. the GOV has no right to drug test anyone. if an employer wants to, that is a whole different thing…but we're talking about the gov…and that they'll be pre-treating everyone like criminals…think further than right now, because "they" are.
Jan 12, 2012
Unemployment in construction is 21.2%, I wish these guys would tell the truth. We all need to education ourself in this tough market only way is a degree or change your career.. search online for High Speed Universities for career advice.
Jan 12, 2012
Seriously? Society pay me? Did I not PAY into the unemployment insurance plan?? So when I need it, I get treated like this??
Jan 12, 2012
Employers pay that tax, not employees.
Jan 13, 2012
PPL Do not pay anything into unemployment this is paid by companies. Unemployment insurance is a federal-state program jointly financed through federal and state employer payroll taxes (federal and state UI taxes).Generally, employers must pay both state and federal unemployment taxes if:
(1) they pay wages to employees totaling $1,500 or more in any quarter of a calendar year; or,
(2) they had at least one employee during any day of a week during 20 weeks in a calendar year, regardless of whether the weeks were consecutive. However, some state laws differ from the federal law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_benefits
Jan 13, 2012
Jennifer where did you get your facts Id like to research this further…. esp the special interest groups who give these bonuses. I want to be able to comment on things but not unless I know I have the knowledge to do so and I am not basing things off of feeling or heresy
.
Jan 14, 2012
Good post Sonya. You get to the point. PPL who qualify for for UEI have to QUALIFY and if they did anything to get fired they don't get the money…… Most people currently receive this because of lay offs, shut downs or unlawful acts by the company and they walked. IF you quit or got fired you can either get a 12 week penalty or no money. If you have ever been on UEI you know it is a job to get it and keep it.
Jan 14, 2012
@ Joseph HI, have you ever been so unfortunate to have to go on unemployment? If so you know everyone must keep a detailed record of applications they put in each week. This continues until they obtain a job. They are required to provide the paperwork immediately to Unemployment if they ask. UE then follows up with the companies to make sure they applied.
Jan 14, 2012
Tammy- research the unemployment laws- COMPANIES pay this not people……………..
Jan 14, 2012
Finally someone who does research !
Jan 14, 2012
BRAVO Allen- I admire people who have facts. This is a big issue and involves more that people are talking about. Cost, impact, repercussions. The list is numerous
Jan 14, 2012
Leigh Blauvelt Thank you . I am an employer and have many wonderful facts about the cost of trying to do business in this country AND make a profit. I have a fairly liberal point of view on many things and do not begrudge anyone from drawing unemployment because it should be there as a safty net, however when people draw it and work under the table for cash in the same business(painting) that pisses me off a bit. I am licenced, insured and pay all my taxes and many are always looking for a cheap deal in painting, if you hire that guy for cash just remember it hurts my businessand others like me and you risk a potential law suit by someone that isn't insured when they get hurt on your property. Have a nice day
Jan 14, 2012
Leigh Blauvelt – and companies are run by….???
Jan 14, 2012
Leigh Blauvelt as I replied to your last comment towards me…Employers are ??? PEOPLE.
Jan 14, 2012
Cris Curtis Toataly agree a job is a job and no one is better than anyone else, degree or no degree-we are people. Although, I believe unemployment-no, welfare-yes. IMO.
Jan 14, 2012
Leigh Blauvelt
In my state, company and employee contribute…
Jan 14, 2012
True so true………….
Jul 31, 2012
The point is- there are TWO kinds of unemployment patrons: 1. The people who were laid off and search desperately for a job every day or week that is even comparable to the money they were making… and 2. Then there are the people who are not really looking and care less to look for work as long as they can draw that check and not have to report to a job. In that case it might seem unfair to have a person avidly looking for a job, take a drug test or put them to work within the community, but for the sake of people just laying back and taking advantage, they will all endure.
When my company springs a random drug test on us at work we don't start crying-"unfair treatment" "your treating us like criminals" we shut up and put up to keep our jobs, and if the unemployed want to keep their money they should too.
I have had/seen/heard too many occasions where an unemployed person needed their paper work signed, proving they tried to get a job at that company but then refuse an actual application or take one and never turn it in. They are just turning in meaningless proof without really trying to get a job. If SC does not have the jobs available then it can seem unfair to expect citizens to find jobs “or else”….
The bigger problem we have gotten ourselves into is that there is no incentive to get out there and take a job, much less a harder, less paying job when you have the option of not working or doing something under the table and still being able to collect an unemployment check. Until the government figures out how to balance that act- we will keep having states trying to come up with their own solutions to the unemployment crisis.