Verizon employees on strike may receive unemployment benefits as State Senate Labor Committee approved the bill in New Jersey on Monday. Meanwhile, the U.S. government reportedly steps into negotiations.

The bill basically aims for the workers to have unemployment insurance when such labor disputes arise. Part of that is when an employer did not follow the terms and conditions of an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

Bill sponsors Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) stated that this will be beneficiary to the workers who are affected in the middle of the protest, reported NJ.com

"This legislation we obviously think is important for the thousands of workers who have really almost (been) forced to be off the job, walked off their job, because of the contract dispute and the way in which Verizon has negotiated this contract and what Verizon has asked their employees to do in order to maintain their employment," as quoted in a statement.

Members of Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers were present at the hearing. The workers group is also requesting the minimum wage to $15 an hour. 

According to CNNMoney, the Obama administration reportedly steps into negotiations between the protesting workers and Verizon executives. U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez allegedly said on Sunday that the bargaining continues on Tuesday among Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam, CWA president Chris Shelton, and IBEW president Lonnie Stephenson. 

The employees are protesting about working without a contract, and massive outsourcing operations in the Philippines, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.