In the Vitebsk region, the number of applications to the employment service is growing against the backdrop of the declared fight against parasitism

The employment services of the Vitebsk region note an increase in the flow of citizens wishing to register for employment assistance against the backdrop of the declared fight against parasitism in society. This was announced today to journalists by the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee - Head of the Pension Provision Department, Natalia Khval, answering a question from a correspondent of BELTA, before the start of the committee's final board meeting.

According to the results of 2014, the labor market situation was characterized by a decrease in the number of people seeking employment assistance and a decrease in demand for labor (partly due to the optimization of the staff of organizations, partly due to the filling of vacancies by citizens of Ukraine). "But if throughout last year we said that the number of vacancies prevailed over the number of applicants for them, then now the number of vacancies and applicants has equalized. And considering that the decree on combating idlers and dependents is being discussed in society, we not only expect, but are already feeling that more and more citizens are coming to register with the employment service. We will ensure the provision of state guarantees for labor," emphasized Natalia Khval.

The region is observing an increase in the proportion of vacancies for highly qualified specialists - from 21% as of January 1, 2014, to 32% as of January 1, 2015. In the context of the emerging trend of changes in the structure of labor demand, it is especially important for those who are uncompetitive in the labor market to obtain a profession and work.

By the end of 2014, the official unemployment rate in all districts and cities of the region did not exceed socially acceptable parameters and amounted to 0.7% of the economically active population. The average unemployed person last year was a 40-year-old man with a general secondary or vocational education, dismissed by mutual agreement. To ensure employment, assistance in finding jobs was provided to almost 27,000 citizens. About 3,000 citizens with reduced competitiveness in the labor market and 90 unemployed graduates were also employed in jobs under the "Youth Practice" program. Costs for the creation of 32 jobs for disabled people were financed and compensated. As part of adaptation to work activities, 57 disabled people found employment. 8.3 thousand people were involved in paid public works. Temporary employment was organized for about 4,000 teenagers in their free time from studies, and 1.5 thousand people received training. 84 families of unemployed people were relocated to rural areas for a new place of residence and work. Decisions of the regional executive committee allocated budget loans for the creation of 34 jobs.

Almost Br40 billion was used last year to finance measures for ensuring population employment. In 2015, the task is to continue stimulating the economic activity of the population, assisting in the employment of released workers in the context of optimizing the staffing of organizations, increasing the efficiency of labor resource utilization, and integrating target population groups into labor activities.

Ekaterina Knyazeva