Labor market situation in Vitebsk: shoemakers, educators, cashiers are in demand…

As of April 1 of last year, 1241 people were registered as unemployed at the labor, employment, and social protection department of the city executive committee. As of the same date in 2015, this figure was 2426. The labor market situation has become more complicated. Our correspondent went to the address: B. Khmelnytsky Street, 10, to study the state of affairs.

This is not the first time I have come here on an editorial assignment. I have investigated how young people and women of pre-retirement age can find jobs, acquire a new specialty, or move to a new place of residence in the countryside. I have never seen huge queues or crowds of unemployed people here. The department specialists are successfully coping with the increased number of visitors now as well. Of course, there are 5-7 people sitting in front of each office: some to register, some to check in, and some to inquire about vacancies the inspector can offer them. A group of young, strong guys caught my attention. They were joking, slapping each other on the shoulder under the bewildered glances of others: "Why so cheerful?" It turned out that a support group was cheering up 28-year-old Vitaly. He is a construction worker, graduated from a Vitebsk college, worked in his hometown for about a year and a half, and then went to Russia. Sometimes he earned well, sometimes he was "out of luck" — the employer deceived him, paid little or nothing, as the employment contract was verbal. Vitaly has been home since the fall of last year. While he had some savings, he was not discouraged. Now the money has run out, and besides, he reads newspapers, watches TV, and, of course, has paid great attention to Decree No. 3 "On the Prevention of Social Dependency".

— It's kind of embarrassing: I'm young and healthy, but I'm living off my parents, — he says. — This document encourages me to get a job officially, get a work record book, and earn seniority. Only now many enterprises are having layoffs. No matter how much I asked, construction workers are not needed anywhere. So I came here to register as unemployed, I hope they will help me find a job. I could get another specialty, but I think everything will change for the better in our industry.

A middle-aged woman, who overheard the conversation, just sighed. She has changed her specialty several times already. Two years ago, she was laid off from RUP "Vityaz" and got a job at a private enterprise "Global" as a packer. She is raising her son alone, so she went where the pay was higher.

— The swine flu has played a dirty trick on us, — she reasons. — There wasn't enough meat for processing, we were switched to a shortened week, and at the end of March, we were told to look for work because the enterprise would be closing. That's why I came here, found out what documents are required to register. I'll at least get a benefit...

— And I was given a referral — to work as a kindergarten teacher! — rejoiced a young girl. — I lived in Orsha, graduated from a pedagogical college there, but last summer I moved to Vitebsk because I didn't want to work in my specialty. Now I've realized that teaching is my calling after all. I will enroll in part-time studies at VSU named after P.M. Masherov.

Two men with disheveled faces, after sitting in line for about 15 minutes, couldn't stand it and headed for the exit.

— Leaving? — I asked.

— No, we're going for a smoke. It's Vovka's (he nodded at the other man) birthday today, we should celebrate, and we're stuck here. They want us to work? Let them arrange it. That's what they're there for. And we'll see what they offer us...

On unsteady legs, they walked out onto the porch. And I went to get a comment from Marina Budkevich, Deputy Head of the Department of Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the City Executive Committee.

— Marina Viktorovna, I recently read in one of the newspapers that there are huge queues at the employment exchange in Vitebsk. I made sure that there is nothing of the sort, as usual, five to seven people at each office.

— We have different people coming to us. One resigned himself, another was laid off, a third returned from Russia. Some are in a depressed state, others, on the contrary, are overly self-confident. Therefore, our employees have to be psychologists as well, to listen, explain, and encourage. Of course, since January 1 of this year, the number of citizens seeking assistance in employment has significantly increased. As of April 1 of last year, the unemployment rate in the city was 0.8 percent of the economically active population, now it is 1.4 percent. However, this figure is within acceptable limits, as the forecast for the year is 1.6 percent.

— If you try to draw a portrait of the average unemployed person at the beginning of 2015…

— It is a man under 40 with secondary or secondary vocational education. Women make up 33.6 percent of the total number of registered unemployed. Compared to April 1 of last year, the number of vacancies decreased by 2.8 times. Now there are 561, meaning 4.3 people are applying for one job. This situation is due to both the reduction of jobs, optimization carried out at enterprises and organizations, and the fact that on April 2, the head of state signed Decree No. 3 "On the Prevention of Social Dependency". Many had heard about it before, so they decided to preemptively declare their status at least as officially registered unemployed.

— What measures are you taking in such conditions?

— I would like to note that unemployed citizens are more actively participating in public works than before. The annual target has already been completed by more than 80 percent. 40 percent of the annual target has been allocated for retraining – 160 people out of 400. Of these 160, a third will be guaranteed employment based on tripartite agreements between the employee, the employer, and the department. The rest will come to us, register, and we will look for jobs for them.

— Who is in demand now?

— Preschool teachers are still in demand. Shoemakers and seamstresses are needed at "Belvest". From April 27, we opened a special training group for them. We invited seamstresses from "KIM" to conduct classes in it – their situation is difficult, but so far no one has agreed. Belgosstrakh is ready to hire insurance agents. JSC "Vitebskiye Produkty" needs cashiers-controllers, and we are also forming a group for their training. Doctors, nurses, a chief accountant, an engineer, and a repair fitter are needed; these are mainly highly qualified specialists. The demand for unskilled labor, such as cleaners and janitors, has sharply decreased. Every day, some vacancies open up, while others disappear.

— Is higher education a guarantee against unemployment?

— As of today, 295 people with higher education are registered as unemployed – lawyers, economists, programmers, sewing production technologists, designers, architects, and some others; 303 with secondary vocational education; 636 with vocational-technical education; 935 with general basic education. Everything is clear: the higher the level of education and qualification, the easier it is to find a job. Become true professionals in your field, and you will always be in demand. In conclusion, I want to add that all information about available vacancies, the documents required to register as unemployed, and other details can be found on the website of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee.

Larisa VOLKOVA, "Vitbichi"