Alabama Bill Proposes Stricter Job Search Rules for Unemployment Benefits

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A new bill introduced in Alabama seeks to tighten the requirements for individuals receiving unemployment benefits by increasing the number of job contacts they must make each week. The proposed legislation would raise the current requirement from three to five job contacts per week.

Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), the bill's sponsor, stated, “We hope that it would encourage people to be much more serious about seeking jobs when they’re on unemployment.” The bill also includes provisions requiring recipients to respond to job offers within 72 hours and disqualifying those who miss scheduled job interviews.

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The proposal has received support from many state lawmakers and business leaders, who see it as a way to improve Alabama’s labor participation rate, currently at 57.5%, below the national average of around 62%. However, the bill has also faced criticism. Dev Wakeley, a policy advocate with Alabama Arise, argued that the new requirements would disproportionately harm residents in rural areas, where job opportunities are more limited. “The idea of having to conduct five employment searches a week at qualifying employers within your geographical area is, frankly, totally unrealistic,” Wakeley said.

Rep. Oliver acknowledged these concerns, indicating a willingness to consider amendments to the bill as it moves through the legislative process. The Alabama legislative session is set to begin in February, where further discussions on the bill are expected.

The bill is part of a broader effort by Alabama lawmakers to address the state’s workforce challenges, with a particular focus on increasing the number of people actively participating in the job market.