Above: US Labour Secretary Hilda Solis

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico will soon receive three National Emergency Grants from the United States Department of Labour.

The grants, which total more than $4 million, will target more than 750 workers affected by recently plant closures and layoffs in Puerto Rico.

“The services provided through these federal grants will help these dislocated workers improve their reemployment prospects by providing training to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries,” US Labour Secretary Hilda Solis said.

The largest grant of $1.93 million will assist more than 400 workers affected by the closure of three Bluewater Defense, Inc locations and of Legacy Pharmaceuticals International, which are all located in eastern Puerto Rico.

The funds will provide employment and training for dislocated workers to prepare for jobs in industries including advanced manufacturing, financial services, information technology and health care.

A second grant, in the amount of $1.06 million, will provide employment-related services for 200 workers affectedly the closure of Ponce’s Checkpoint Caribbean, Ltd.

The final $1.14 million grant will assist approximately 160 workers affected by the closure of Bumble Bee Foods in Mayaguez.