Context
The Arizona coalition has introduced 2-year time limits on unemployment benefits, with exemptions for those over 55. Employment remains a top voter priority.
Unemployment Benefits Structure
2 Years
For Workers (with retraining)
1 Year
For School Leavers
2 Years
For University Graduates
Policy Positions
- 2-Year Unemployment Benefits for Workers
- Full benefits for 12 months with active job search requirements
- Reduced benefits for months 13-24 with mandatory retraining
- Tailored support for over-55s and those with disabilities
- 1-Year Support for School Leavers — Bridge allowance with mandatory vocational training
- 2-Year Support for University Graduates — Recognition that graduate employment often takes longer
- Preserve automatic wage indexation — Maintain purchasing power
- Invest in lifelong learning — Free retraining programs for workers displaced by automation/AI
- Work must pay — Tax reforms ensuring workers keep more of their earnings
Key Arguments
- Time limits create urgency but must be paired with genuine support
- Young people entering workforce deserve a chance to find their footing
- Investing in retraining is cheaper than supporting long-term unemployment
- Belgian unemployment benefits are an investment in human capital, not a handout