Small business owners continue to argue that high-unemployment benefits are keeping workers home

When the unemployment boost provided in the latest round of COVID relief runs out in late-summer small business owners are hoping that it means more workforce.

“When you’re in business, you’re kind of a fireman,” explained Dave Cameron. He’s the owner of Cameron Roofing and spoke with 13WHAM about the employment situation. “You’re putting out fires. Our fire right now happens to be finding enough people to put out the amount of work that needs to be done to meet customers’ needs.”

He says it’s difficult to find workers who are willing to do ‘hard work’ when they can make as much at home.

The benefits will run out in early-September. That’s when the maximum unemployment benefit will fall back to approximately $500 per week in New York.

Staff Report

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