NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson released the following statement today in response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order requiring people receiving unemployment benefits to fulfill work search requirements and directing the Department of Commerce to explore a potential reemployment incentive program:
“NFIB commends Governor Cooper for taking steps to address North Carolina’s labor shortage, but we are disappointed the governor didn’t take the added step of ending the additional federal unemployment supplement.
“The federal supplement was always intended as a temporary solution to an extraordinary crisis, but as the economy has improved, it has discouraged some people from reentering the workforce.
“Last spring, businesses had to reduce hours and limit services because of COVID-19. This spring, they’re doing it because they can’t find enough workers.
“NFIB looks forward to working with Governor Cooper on a solution that puts people back to work and enables small businesses to fully recover from the COVID-19 downturn.”