About Br4.4 billion will be used for social support of the unemployed in the Vitebsk region

January 28, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. About Br4.4 billion will be used for social support of the unemployed in 2011 in the Vitebsk region, the employment department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's labor, employment and social protection committee informed BELTA correspondent. Social support is provided in the form of unemployment benefits, compensation payments, and material assistance. During the current year, employment services intend to assist 35,000 citizens in finding jobs, including almost 21,000 unemployed individuals. 25,000 citizens will be directed to newly created jobs, and about 3,700 unemployed individuals will be sent for training and retraining. More than 13,000 people will be able to participate in paid public works. Approximately one hundred families of the unemployed will be able to relocate to rural areas and find work there, if they wish. The practice of assisting the unemployed in organizing entrepreneurial activities will be continued. In 2011, potential entrepreneurs will receive subsidies totaling Br2 billion. As of the beginning of 2011, the registered unemployment rate relative to the economically active population decreased from 1.1% to 0.9% compared to January 1, 2010. With financial support from the employment service, 120 families of the unemployed relocated to rural areas. More than 500 unemployed individuals received subsidies totaling Br1.7 billion to start their own businesses. -0-