The federal government announced on Wednesday a 41.2 million Australian dollar (36.8 million U.S. dollar) assistance package for workers whose jobs are under threat because of the decision to cut its household insulation program. The government will provide businesses with assistance to retain their workers between now and June when a replacement scheme - the renewable energy bonus program - begins operating. Employers can use the assistance to keep their staff in work or in training. Alternatively, the government will help displaced insulation workers find alternative jobs with other employers and other industries. Where appropriate employment opportunities are not available, the government will ensure that there are relevant training places to displaced workers, the prime minister told parliament. 'The government will continue to assess the number of workers displaced by the early termination of the home insulation program, and will make adjustments to this package as required,' Rudd said. It had been estimated that the early ending of the insulation program would result in the loss of 6,000 jobs. 'Many of these people are good honest workers whose jobs have been disrupted because a small number of shonky operators,' he added. 