Reps. DeLauro, Johnson, Sen. Blumenthal join allies to support Fair Employment Opportunity Act

NELP, USAction deliver 250,000 signature petitions of support

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Hank Johnson (GA-4), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) were joined today by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) and USAction to urge support for the Fair Employment Opportunity Act.

The Fair Employment Opportunity Act addresses the recent trend of companies that have been discriminating against the unemployed by refusing to consider them for job openings. Many post job advertisements stating that “candidates must be currently employed,” eliminating employment opportunities for up to 16 million Americans and specifically affecting women, minorities, veterans and seniors. President Obama’s American Jobs Act, introduced last week, includes this legislation.

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Gathered by USAction, Change.org, ColorofChange.org and CREDO Action, 250,000 petition signatures were delivered to the Capitol today. The signatures, collected between July and September, express outrage at discrimination against unemployed workers, and call on job listing websites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com to stop publishing ads that discriminate against the unemployed.

“In today’s tough economy, it is hard enough for workers who have lost their jobs to get back on their feet and find employment again. And yet, companies have begun to require current employment to be considered for available positions. These actions are eliminating employment opportunities, and are unjust and unfair,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The Fair Employment Opportunity Act fights back against these discriminatory practices, and will help to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their employment status, have the same opportunities for employment.”

“Discrimination against the unemployed – especially the long-term unemployed – in job ads and hiring practices flies in the face of what we stand for as a nation: Equal opportunity for all,” said Congressman Hank Johnson. “I'm hopeful that this can be a bipartisan effort because unemployment affects everyone. I’m proud to work with my Congressional colleagues and President Obama to stop this injustice.”

Senator Blumenthal said, “Unfair hiring practices that discourage or ban unemployed applicants from job openings are unacceptable and antithetical to economic growth. This important legislation will explicitly prohibit employers from discriminatory hiring and ensure basic fairness in filling job openings. These job seekers are middle class Americans who have been out of work, but not out of courage or determination to support their families."

“Denying unemployed people job opportunities is no way to rebuild an economy – it’s like turning the job market into a giant game of musical chairs in which only those who are already employed can play. We applaud these members of Congress, President Obama and all who are fighting to end discriminatory hiring practices that hinder the economy and harm millions of job-seeking Americans,” said Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project.

“Ending hiring discrimination is a matter of doing what’s right,” said USAction President William McNary. “It’s the first step toward fixing our economy and making America whole again. But we need to go farther and thoroughly rebuild our economy, creating good jobs for everyone in America. This is why I support the Fair Employment Opportunity Act – and why I support the American Jobs Act.”

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