Despite forced closings, Lexington County and state employment is improving.
Unemployment fell from 12% in March to 8.7% in June.
While that is a stark contrast to December’s 2.3% …
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Despite forced closings, Lexington County and state employment is improving.
Unemployment fell from 12% in March to 8.7% in June.
While that is a stark contrast to December’s 2.3% unemployment, Dan Ellzey, executive director of SC Department of Employment and Workforce, said the month-to-month fall was a “great change.”
The state’s hospitality industry saw almost half of its 280,000 jobs disappear due to covid-19.
But Ellzey noted that at least half of the lost jobs have now returned.
Many restaurants, he said, are struggling to find workers due to high federal and state jobless benefits.
“Even the good, solid, financially strong restaurants are closing some locations,” Ellzey said.
A bright note, he said, is that South Carolina is one of few states to pass covid-19 liability protection for businesses.
The $600 federal unemployment benefit finally ran out July 25.
“We knew right off the bat that this would kill the restaurants, the hospitality industry, anything that pays in that price range,” he said.
Ellzey said he hopes state lawmakers may alter unemployment benefits to reflect actual wages.
President Trump’s executive order replaces the $600 federal benefit with a $400 weekly check. Washington will supply $300 and states $100 if Congress fails to act.
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