North Dakota ending participation in federal unemployment assistance programs as job openings surge

North Dakota ending participation in federal unemployment assistance programs as job openings surge Main Photo

10 May 2021


North Dakota on Monday announced it will terminate its participation in the federal government’s COVID-19 unemployment assistance programs next month as it hopes to incentivize more residents to return to work amid a labor shortage.

As job openings in the state reach pre-pandemic levels, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is trying to get more residents back into the labor force to help the state recover.

"After fighting through severe stress and financial hardship, many North Dakota businesses that survived the pandemic are now facing an unprecedented labor shortage as they attempt to recover," Burgum said in a statement. "These federal unemployment programs were meant to supplement state benefits and provide short-term relief for displaced and vulnerable workers, and these programs have accomplished their goals but are now counterproductive."

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