By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
RALEIGH ó A state Senate bill would require volunteer work for people getting more than two months of unemployment insurance benefits.
N.C. Sen. Andrew Brock, who represents Rowan and Davie counties, is one of three Republicans listed as primary sponsors of the legislation. It would require five hours of volunteer public service per week from weeks nine through 52 of benefit eligibility, and 10 hours per week starting in week 53.
Danielle Robinson, of Salisbury, applied for unemployment insurance Wednesday after losing the job she has held for two years. Previously, she had been out of work for three years.
Robinson thinks itís hard enough to be unemployed and looking for a job without the proposed community service commitment.
ěThatís like youíre working just to get the benefits that you have worked hard for, and I donít feel like thatís right,î she said. ěFor the time I put into my job, I feel like I should be able to withdraw my benefits.î
Brock said the bill isnít meant as a punishment or burden, but rather as an opportunity to give back.
He said people who are unemployed and eager to work donít want to just sit at home, and the proposed bill encourages them to get out and do something until they find a job. They might even gain experience in a trade along the way.
Brock acknowledged that people can do this by volunteering on their own, but he said a regular service program would do more to revitalize a community.
ěIf youíre a prospective employer coming into town, and you see these improvements or see people working,î Brock said, ěyouíll say, ëMan, thatís a town with a strong work ethic. I want to hire these people and I want to move here.íî
?East Spencer resident Donnie Davis said he doesnít like the proposed bill because it could add to the stress and frustration of trying to find a job.
ěI think all thatís going to do is aggravate people even worse than they are now,î Davis said. ěItís bad enough trying to find something.î
He was laid off from his job in February 2009. His benefits ran out this past December, and heís been living on a small amount of savings since then.
Davis said Wednesday that heís continuously looking for work, and he recently applied for six or seven jobs in one week and hasnít heard back from any of the employers.
Brock said the bill sponsors know itís tough to lose a job ó ěnobody likes to go through thatî ó and that it takes time and effort to find a new one.
ěWeíre not asking for a lot. Itís five hours, or less than half a day,î Brock said. ěItís a good way to give some work back to the community and help out.î
The senator said he doesnít like seeing unemployment insurance paid to people who were fired from their jobs for stealing or failing drug tests. The bill would at least require those people to give back to the community, along with those who donít want to work, Brock said.
The legislation does allow excused absence for personal illness or a family emergency, as long as the hours are made up the next week.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.