WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin today reintroduced legislation that would allow unemployed, part-time workers to collect Unemployment Insurance (UI) when they have earned sufficient past wages to be eligible for such assistance.

Currently, unemployed part-time workers who meet monetary eligibility requirements are prohibited from receiving Unemployment Insurance in 31 states, including Maryland, solely because they are seeking part-time rather than full-time employment. The Parity for Part-time Workers Act, HR 773, would allow UI benefits for individuals who otherwise qualify for unemployment compensation based on part-time work, and who seek at least 20 hours of work a week. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that approximately 300,000 unemployed workers per year would be able to receive UI benefits if this law is enacted.

In January, a Government Accounting Office study reported that the UI system "only provided limited protection for low-wage workers." The study showed that while low-wage workers were trice as likely to become unemployed, they were only half as likely to receive UI benefits compared to higher-wage workers, even when employed for similar periods of time.

Both the Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation, a congressionally appointed panel of experts, and the Committee for Economic Development, an organization of the nation's business leaders, have recommended prohibiting discrimination against part-time workers seeking unemployment compensation. Denying UI to part-time workers disproportionally hurts women, who comprise roughly 70% of our nation's part-time workforce.

"It is wrong to deny unemployment compensation to a laid-off parent simply because they are seeking to continue to work part-time in order to care for a child," said Rep. Cardin. "This legislation is family friendly and will help level the playing field for part-time employees who want to continue to work and who are an important part of our workforce."