President Biden on Monday said his administration was taking steps that would make it easier for employers to hire new workers and to help more people take jobs, following several days of criticism from Republicans over a disappointing employment report released on Friday. In remarks at the White House, Mr. Biden sought to shift the focus from a federally enhanced unemployment benefit — which critics say has fueled a labor shortage that is holding back the job market — and onto American corporations. He said companies need to help workers get vaccinated and to pay them more, after receiving $1.4 trillion in Covid-19 relief from the federal government over the past year. To ensure those rules are being followed, the Labor Department will work with states to reinstate work search requirements. Those rules, which require that anyone collecting unemployment benefits provide proof that they are actively searching for work, were suspended during the pandemic.

Source: New York Times May 10, 2021 15:15 UTC