The Georgia Department of Labor reported 43,264 laid-off workers filed a first-time claim for unemployment insurance benefits in August -- an increase of 12.5 percent over August 2002, when 38,459 claims were filed.
Atlanta claims were up 3.3 percent, from 16,742 in August 2002 to 17,301 in August 2003.
The layoffs have pushed the number of Georgians drawing unemployment insurance benefits up to 80,986, an increase of 8.4 percent over August 2002, when 74,691 drew benefits.
"To combat these layoffs, we've implemented a new program called, 'Georgia Works'," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "It's an initiative that allows laid-off workers who qualify for jobless benefits to receive on-site workplace training and a special training allowance at the same time they are drawing unemployment insurance benefits. Employers provide training for a limited period of time, and upon successful completion of training, workers receive a certification of the job skills they have acquired and consideration for a job with the employer."
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