Gov’t starts rapid response to help employers, workers
The government activated a program to help displaced employers and workers.
Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel A. Laboy-Rivera announced today that the agency has activated rapid response services under the Workforce Development Program to provide guidance and services to employers and displaced workers affected directly or indirectly by hurricane Irma.
“Our State Unit of Displaced Workers and Employers is coordinating a support center in Vieques, Culebra, San Juan, Santa Isabel and Ceiba so that employers and workers affected by the atmospheric phenomenon can receive a range of services and guidance to mitigate the impact to employees, businesses and communities,” said Laboy-Rivera, who pointed out that this is part of the administration’s efforts to continue Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.
Laboy-Rivera explained that every interested worker or employer may receive:
- Assistance in completing unemployment claims;
- Information relating to the impact and alternatives to health insurance coverage as a result of a temporary or permanent closure;
- Individual referrals to career services and trainings available through the 16 One-Stop Centers the Workforce Development Program has available throughout the island;
- Lectures and workshops focused on re-employment and training strategies;
- Assistance in strategic planning, information gathering and analysis that allows the employer and the displaced worker anticipate, prepare and manage economic change.
Laboy-Rivera said the services will be offered at the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company’s support center in San Juan and the former Roosevelt Road Naval Base in Ceiba on Sept. 11-12.
Also, the State Unit of Displaced Workers and Employers will provide guidance at the public squares in Culebra and Vieques on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively. Meanwhile, services will be provided Sept. 13-14 at the Santa Isabel pubic square from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information, those interested can call Vivian Tirado, assistant director of the State Unit of Displaced Workers and Employers at 787-754-5504 ext. 5286 or via e-mail [email protected].
