The National Labor Secretary, Elaine Chao, just announced that a grant of $62 million has been established for NO and $50 milllion for devastated areas in Mississippi for temporary jobs to assist in the cleanup in these areas. Ms. Chao stated that this would be a way to put money in people’s pockets while assisting to rebuild their communitites. Additionally, she stated that unemployment insurance would be available to eligible employees and disaster unemployment would be available to those employees who are not eligible and also to small business owners. Meanwhile, OSHA is offering “the full resources of the agency” to current cleanup and recovery workers.
Word also has it that Harrah’s Casinos is providing 90 days pay for employees in the affected areas. More info can be found here.