Recognizing that lost production and labor contribute to the spectrum of the economic crisis and can accelerate inflation and discrimination among employers. Recognition that full employment is a necessary and vital step towards an end to social disparity between the rich and privileged class and the poor and working class.

H.R. 50 strongly recommends the concept of equal employment opportunity for women and minority workers.

H.R. 50 mandates federal action on employment forecasting in the public and private economic sectors.

C. SECTIONS OF THE LEGISLATION WHICH ARE UNSATISFACTORY

The implementation time for this legislation does not take into account the hard suffering of millions of workers who are already unemployed. Can we ask them to sit back and wait three years for work? The mechanism for implementation must be accelerated and must move away from public employment as a last resort. Private sectors of the economy are not prepared to increase their employment rates significantly, and this bill does not say how the government will do so. This legislation should concentrate upon getting workers back to work immediately.

The non-discrimination provisions of this legislation are characteristic of previous legislation. While the intent is commendable, the ability to enforce equal employment opportunity is negligible. The present situation for equal employment is greatly improved over the period prior to 1964, but equality would not describe the employment opportunity for women and minorities. This legislation should incorporate development of an enforcement agency to insure that all workers have an equal chance.

The legislation does not clearly state that public service jobs will be created if the private sector does not increase its employment. The Standby Job Corps is viewed as a last resort. The Job Corps must be initiated first if full employment is going to have any realistic basis. The private sector remains committed to high profit margins which necessitate a maintenance of existing employment levels, but which does not account for the full employment possibility.

The authority of Local Planning Councils has been eliminated by amendment of the legislation. Citizens have been relegated to an advisory capacity. If the federal government is going to implement a job program which is primarily aimed at the local needs in employment, then local control must be reinstated.

The compensatory rate for public service employment (when the Standby Job Corps is activated) is insufficient. If workers turn to the federal government for job assistance, the work must pay the union or local rate of pay. If workers are payed less because it is public service, then they will be discouraged from working. Workers must support their families; they should not be penalized for accepting public service work.

This legislation states that employment can be prohibited for "improper political activity". The lack of defining statements for this section does not clearly indicate what political activity is prohibited. This represents an unjust discriminatory provision which can be interpreted wthout just cause to separate and divide workers seeking employment. For instance, is it improper political activity to demand employment by demonstrating in the streets? The activist or other citizen should not be discriminated against!

CONCLUSION

H.R. 50 represents a step in the right direction by the federal government. The government is recognizing the right of all citizens to have employment. The bill deserves support of all workers because it will insure their employment, and free them from discrimination which can polarize persons who must compete for scarce jobs. The bill also recognizes the legitimate concern of the workers to be taxed fairly. The committee Chairperson (Mr. Hawkins) demonstrated clearly that he recognizes the need to reform both tax and banking laws if this bill is to be effective. These reforms would begin the process of redistributing the wealth which is controlled by less than 10% of the nations citizens.

Rhode Island needs H.R. 50. With over 12 percent of our workers still unemployed, the need for employment legislation is severe. A small state with limited resources cannot be expected to develop employment for over 100,000 persons.

The federal government must supply the resources to put people back to work. Unemployment is a divisive factor in our society. Keeping profit margins high is also a means for keeping people divided. We must overcome the control which the rich and affluent society dictate to the poor and middle class workers. We must raise the consciousness of those who do not see the problems, and we must eliminate discrimination and guarantee equal employment opportunity.

The citizens of Rhode Island would like to take this opportunity to request that the subcommittee on Equal Opportunities come to Rhode Island and have additional public hearings. The large and disproportionate number of unemployed in this state need to state their problems to the committee-only then will our legislators realize the seriousness of the unemployment problems and the disruption it is bringing to our already bad economy. We commend the sponsors of this bill for their attempt to remedy our most serious problem.

This statement is submitted on behalf of the Rhode Island Workers Association and the unemployed poor of Rhode Island.

[Whereupon, at 4:30 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned, to reconvene at the call of the Chair.]