Germany stops job program for unemployed EU youths

ROSTOCK, Germany — Alessandro Risiglione couldn't land a steady job in Italy for years. The 25-year-old occasionally found work as a mail man and pizza baker in Turin, but he could barely make ends meet.

So when he heard that the German government — desperate to attract labor for its shrinking workforce — had set up a program inviting young, unemployed EU citizens to three-year traineeships and even guaranteed to pay for language classes, travel costs and living expenses, Risiglione didn't think twice. He applied for the funds, signed up with a trade school in Germany and boarded the plane.

The money never came.

"I thought my future would be in Germany, but for the last few months I've had nothing but problems," Risiglione said during a break from his German class in Rostock, a city in the northeast.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of young people from struggling EU economies find themselves stranded in Germany since the government quietly stopped accepting applications for a program slated to run through 2018.

The German government confirmed that it is no longer considering new applicants for the widely advertised "The Job of my Life" program because it ran out of funds. The initiative was aimed at bringing in unemployed EU people between ages 18 to 35 to provide them with job training and future job options here. Besides picking up costs of language classes and travels, the government included payment of several hundred euros per month during the traineeship.

"We are victims of our own success," said Marion Rang, a spokeswoman for the International Placement Service of the German Federal Employment Agency, which is in charge of the program. She added that those who are already participating in the program would be supported until they have completed their three-year-training.

But several training centers in Germany have said that some youths accepted into the program have not received any money, and others who had already participated for weeks in the program after applying have been left in the lurch.

Rang said the agency was swamped by more than 9,000 applicants since it started the program in January 2013, far more than anticipated.

"At first the program wasn't so well known," she said. "But only in the first three months of 2014, we received so many applications that we already spent our entire 2014 annual budget of 48 million euros ($66 million)."

After German newspapers ran reports about the halt to funds, the government announced last week that it would add another 20 million Euros to help process some open applications. But it still won't accept any new applications for this year.

Youth unemployment has reached epic proportions in the southern European countries that have faced the brunt of the financial crisis. Spain's youth unemployment is at more than 53 percent; Italy's at 42.3 percent; and Greece's at more than 56 percent. Germany, on the other hand, has one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe — 5.9 percent.

There are no precise numbers for students left stranded by the halt to the program. Risiglione's hotel management school in Rostock said 40 of its new arrivals had not received any of the funding they had expected, and the school is currently providing free food for some of the youths.

Rang said that while Germany would continue to support all participants already in the program, youths who had come to Germany before receiving a hard promise of acceptance would most likely not get any money. She could not say how many of the 9,000 applicants had been confirmed as participants.

"We definitely wanted to reach out to our target group and help those youths," she said. "But there was no guarantee for those who came to Germany on their own initiative."

Educational institutions across Germany say the agency's behavior shows that it does not understand the reality on the ground.

"The kids have always started language classes and traveled to Germany on their own account, because they expected to be reimbursed once the agency's confirmation came through after a few weeks," said Peter Pedersen, the manager of the HWBR school where Risiglione studies. "That's how it's worked in the past."

The program was designed in part to help heal Germany's image among southern EU nations resentful of their rich partner's insistence on harsh austerity. Instead, said Pedersen, it has further dented Germany's reputation.

"It's a big PR disaster for Germany," he said.

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New look for the 4Runner

With a new-look exterior featuring new headlights, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner is all SUV, all the time. This rugged truck is built for anything you can throw at it and with an available locking real differential and selectable terrain modes, you will rule the off-road world.

Make no mistake about it, this is a truck, but it also handles well on the highway. The variable power, speed-sensitive steering is tight and the suspension keeps it glued to the road, even while accelerating on an exit ramp.

Rugged, round rubberized controls dominate the appearance of the interior and are laid out in an easily deciphered manner. Getting used to the controls took minutes. The test vehicle had a touch screen to control its GPS and audio, which was easy to use, but hard to fully customize. Switching from Sirius XM radio, to FM and AM was easy. In general, the navigation was easy to use, but using the voice commands was problematic.

The 4Runner's SofTex faux-leather trimmed seats seem comfortable even after a long ride. The interior does come up short when compared to luxury models, but when you are paying an MSRP of $39,505 for a Toyota you are paying for something that is well-built, not deluxe.

A 4-liter, double overhead cam V6 engine gives the 4Runner considerable pep, while the in-dash ECO mode display reminds you to keep your gas-guzzling foot lighter on the pedal. The 4Runner will burn through gas (17 mph city/21 highway) if you are not careful, but a light touch on the pedal did pay off.

Parking was a bit tough as the hood dimensions make it feel like a much bigger vehicle, but a standard back-up camera projecting the path helped on the back end.

The controls for off-road traction and suspension are cool but complicated. Shifting to 4x4 low was very mechanical and a bit tricky, especially for something you are likely to use once in a blue moon.

The split 20/40/20 seats provide great flexibility in loading cargo in the rear, as does the power rear gate window, which opens to help load gear or keep the air flowing, especially with the moon roof open.

My kids found climbing into the 4Runner a bit of a challenge, so I would recommend springing for the running boards if you have kids or need a little help climbing in yourself.

The bottom line is that this is a great truck that will most likely outlast its competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

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Stylish loft offers space to ‘park’

This Manhattan-style loft in Boston's Leather District has something rarely seen inside a residence — a custom glass garage door that separates the home office/study space from the open dining/living area.

With its authentic brick and beam feel, the loft at 111 Beach St. is stylishly put together, with shiny, 
wide-plank maple floors 
and 12-foot ceilings with 
exposed duct work.

It's on the fourth floor of an 1899 brick building converted to condos in 2004-2005, with a contemporary stone and gray metal 
facade on the first floor and a granite and wood first-floor lobby.

Unit 4H opens into a home office/study area, which could also be a nursery or even a second bedroom. It can also be closed off with the custom glass garage door.

The large open dining/living area has three large Thermopane windows, 
exposed brick walls, wood ceiling beams and columns, exposed duct work and even a built-in ironing board.

A wood column sits at the juncture of the loft's kitchen, recessed and pendant lit with light cherrywood cabinets, beige granite counters and G.E. Profile stainless-steel appliances including an electric stove, dishwasher and built-in microwave.

The brick-walled master bedroom has one window and a double-door closet with built-in storage racks, plus an additional closet outside the door.

Across the hall is a bathroom with a granite-walled whirlpool tub/shower and a black granite topped cherry­wood vanity, as well as built-in linen drawers.

Adjacent is a closet that holds the unit's stacked Bosch washer and dryer. The $367 monthly condo fee includes heat and hot water and central air conditioning.

There is no on-site parking, although a space can be had at a nearby garage for about $350 a month. But the building does have a private fitness room for residents.

The unit comes with a private storage cage in the basement.

Home Showcase

Address: 111 Beach St., 4H, Boston
Bedrooms: One plus study
Bathrooms: One
List price: $649,000
Square feet: 1,095
Price per square foot: $593
Annual taxes: $5,890
Monthly condo fee: $367 (includes heat, hot water and central air)
Location: Half block to restaurants along South Street. Two blocks to offerings in Chinatown and about a half mile to Downtown Crossing.
Built In: 1899; converted to condos in 2004-2005
Broker: Robb Cohen of Boston Realty Advisors at 617-962-0142

Pros:

• Stylishly designed with exposed duct work, maple floors
• Home office
• Study area can be closed off with glass garage door
• Reasonable condo fee includes heat, central air, hot water
• Light cherrywood cabinets, granite and stainless steel kitchen

Cons:

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Biz groups: Obamacare delay not a solution

The Bay State will get an extra year before it's forced to comply with an Obamacare provision small business groups say would boost insurance premiums for their members, but the delay doesn't go far enough to ease the burden, advocates argue.

The one-year delay pushes back the federally mandated "rating factors" for small businesses, which would replace those currently used to determine health insurance premiums. The federal system eliminates several factors, including industry and participation rate.

"It in no way represents a solution to what is a very serious problem," said Chris Geehern of Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

Geehern said AIM found that 60 percent of small business owners would see premiums go up, possibly as high as 57 percent for some. The other 40 percent will likely see a rate decrease.

Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, said a permanent waiver would be ideal, but the delay is helpful.

"What it does is buy us time," Hurst said. "We know that the Affordable Care Act needs to be changed."

Gov. Deval Patrick had originally asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for a permanent waiver, which was denied. Massachusetts has already been granted a three-year transition period to phase out the old rating factors, which now must be phased out by 2017.

"I thank the Obama Administration for affording us this flexibility that will help our small businesses more smoothly transition into compliance," Patrick said in a statement.

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Eateries eyeing meal tax holiday

The Restaurant and Business Alliance is pushing for a statewide meal tax holiday for a fourth straight year, despite being stymied in past attempts.

The proposal — which would relieve restaurants of collecting meal taxes from customers from July 27-31 — has been included as a state budget amendment sponsored by Reps. Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) and Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg).

"Hospitality provides 300,000 jobs in our state, and I'm concerned that without help, there could be serious contraction," Dave Andelman, the trade group's president, said in a statement. "Let's give these hard-working people and small local owners some help — the same help that billion-dollar, big-box stores get during the sales tax holiday."

Massachusetts has had a two-day sales tax holiday, typically in August, every year since 2004, except for 2009. Consumers are exempt from paying the 6.25 percent state sales tax on most single-item purchases of $2,500 or less. Shoppers saved approximately $24.59 million in state sales taxes during last year's holiday, according to the state Department of Revenue.

But a proposed meals tax holiday hasn't won enough support on Beacon Hill in the prior three years that it's been proposed.

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Obama pushes again for minimum wage increase

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is again encouraging Congress to pass a bill raising the minimum raise to $10.10 an hour.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says increasing the pay for minimum-wage workers would help 28 million workers. He says Republican lawmakers not only don't want to increase the minimum wage, some want to get rid of it entirely.

In a dig at Republicans in Congress, Obama says they have taken more than 50 votes against his health care law but resist one vote on the minimum wage bill.

In the Republican address, House Speaker John Boehner says the federal government needs to get out of the way as small businesses try to plan for the future.

Boehner says House Republicans are pursuing economic initiatives that put jobs first.

___

Online:

Obama address: www.whitehouse.gov

GOP address: www.speaker.gov

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Strike at Chinese shoe factory ends partially

BEIJING — Most of the tens of thousands of workers who were striking at a massive Chinese shoe factory complex have returned to the job, labor activists said Saturday, enabling Adidas to resume production there.

The Germany-based athletic wear giant said workers returned Friday to its factory run by Taiwanese-owned Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd., the world's largest manufacturer of athletic shoes.

More than 40,000 workers at Yue Yuen's sprawling, multi-factory complex in the southern Chinese city of Dongguan went on strike in early April to protest underpayments into their social security and housing funds.

It was one of the largest strikes ever in China's private sector, where low-cost manufacturers are facing increasing labor activism amid a shortage of migrant workers, pushing up labor costs.

Yue Yuen makes shoes for major brands including Adidas, Nike and New Balance, which are increasingly looking to other countries to source their production.

Labor activists confirmed Saturday that most Yue Yuen workers, including those assigned to the Adidas factory, had returned to work, though about 10,000 remained on strike.

The workers have not reached a deal with Yue Yuen, which has offered to pay full contributions starting May 1. The company rejected workers' demands for a 30 percent pay raise and back payments into their social security funds.

It was unclear why most of the workers had returned to the job. Some labor activists said Yue Yuen management — assisted by police — forced the workers to return.

It was not immediately known whether Nike or New Balance had resumed production at Yue Yuen.

On Wednesday, Adidas said it was moving some of its production from Yue Yuen to other suppliers. But as production at Yue Yuen resumed Friday, Adidas said in a statement that it remained committed to Yue Yuen and "to China as a sourcing country."

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White House: Discrimination potential in data use

WASHINGTON — White House counselor John Podesta says a review of how the government and private sector use large sets of data has found that such information could be used to discriminate against people on issues such as housing and employment.

The review is expected to be released within the next week, and Podesta discussed it with The Associated Press.

"Big data" is everywhere.

It allows mapping apps to ping cellphones anonymously and determine in real time what roads are the most congested. But it also can be used to target economically vulnerable people.

President Barack Obama asked for this review in January. That's when he called for changes to some of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs that amass large amounts of data belonging to Americans and foreigners.

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Event to honor Massachusetts workers hurt, killed

BOSTON — Massachusetts workers who were killed, injured or made ill on their job in 2013 will be honored at a special workers memorial event at the Statehouse.

Monday's event will highlight some of the leading causes of death in the workplace, including falls, being crushed in machinery or being struck by equipment.

The memorial is also meant to spotlight what critics say is the relatively low fines assessed to employers hit with workplace safety violations from the Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Among those scheduled to participate in the event are state Labor Secretary Rachel Kaprielian and Ada Garcia, mother of Victor Gerena, who died at a fish processing plant.

The memorial and the release of a new report on workplace fatalities in Massachusetts will take place at noon at the Statehouse.

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Workplace Diversity Job Fair Monday, April 28, 2014

Workplace Diversity Job Fair

Monday, April 28, 2014

10:00-4:00

Boston Marriott Copley Place

110 Huntington Ave., Boston

Job seekers, don't miss this exciting opportunity

The Boston Herald is hosting the 21st annual Workplace Diversity Job Fair on Monday, April 28. Companies from the Greater Boston area will be in attendance looking for candidates to fill positions in areas including sales, business, medical, technology and more!

Look for a special pull-out section on Thursday, April 24 for all the information you will need to make the job fair a success for you.

There is no cost or obligation for attending.

Proper attire is suggested.

The following companies are participating in the Monday, April 28 Workplace Diversity Job Fair:

• Arbour Health System
• Bay Cove Human Services
• Boston Marriott Copley Place
• BMC HealthNet Plan
• Commonwealth Worldwide
• Eliot Community Human Services
• G2 Secure Staff
• Harvard University
• Keolis Commuter Services
• Lincoln Technical Institute
• Massasoit Community College
• Mass Eye and Ear
• New England HERC
• New England Research Institute
• Northeastern University Bouve' College of Health Sciences School of Nursing
• Northeast Security
• Prudential
• Rockland Trust
• South Bay Mental Health
• U.S. Navy
• Verizon Wireless
• WGBH

The Workplace Diversity Job Fair is conducted in accordance with federal laws advocating employment for all individuals. The Workplace Diversity Job Fair is handicapped accessible. If special arrangements are required, please call 617-619-6168 no later than 2 days prior to the event.

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