NY State Senator Stewart-Cousins Pushing New Bill To Help The Unemployed Find Jobs
YONKERS, NY (WCBS 880) – With many people out of work and looking for jobs, one New York state lawmaker wants to make sure everyone is getting fair chance.
New York state senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is pushing a bill that would prohibit employers from refusing to hire from the unemployed.
"They are actually asking you to come only if you already have a job," she told WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi.
The bill would also prohibit employers from posting job ads that discourage the unemployed from applying to vacant positions, similar to a new law in New Jersey.
WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi reports: NY State Senator Says Unemployment Bill Would Create An Even Playing Field
Podcast
"What the bill would do is say that, that's not what we're made of, that's not a way to get unemployment numbers down and certainly we don't want to put another barrier to people who are out of work," she said.
Stewart-Cousins says everyone deserves a chance at finding a job.
"Hopefully, legislation like this will help employers to focus on the bigger picture," she said. "And not think it's okay to disqualify people because they're unemployed."
Last month, the New York State Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate was eight percent.
Do you think this proposed bill is a good idea? Sound off below in our comments section.
