Unemployed Arizonans Must Look For Work: Ducey

PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order Monday restarting the requirement that anyone receiving unemployment benefits actively seek employment.

The order, which will go into effect on May 23, comes as Arizona's unemployment rate has fallen, from 6.9 percent in February to 6.7 percent in March, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“A year out from the start of the pandemic, jobs and vaccines are readily available,” Ducey said in a statement. “Arizonans are ready to get back to work. Our economy is booming, jobs need filling, more than 2 million Arizonans are fully vaccinated, and vaccination appointments are available to anyone who wants one.”

Ducey's order spotlighted the restaurant and hospitality industries in particular, saying the order aims to fill the current vacancies and promote job growth.

According to the department's data, the state of Arizona lost between 13.9 and 18.6 percent of its leisure and hospitality industry workers, versus where it was a year before.

Ducey said his hope in resuming the work requirement, which was waived in March 2020, for unemployment benefits is to help restart both industries, which employed more than 310,000 people statewide in 2019, according to the American Restaurant Association.

“As President Reagan said, the best social program is a job,” Ducey added. “This statement rings true today. Unemployment benefits are still available to Arizonans who need them, but now that plenty of jobs are available, those receiving the benefits should be actively looking for work.”