The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry is aiming to cut the jobless rate in Slovakia to 11.8 percent by 2016 and so bring it level with the average unemployment rate in the eurozone as recorded in December, ministry head Jan Richter told a press conference on Tuesday. Richter explained a range of measures that the ministry has adopted with a view to bolstering jobs.
One such measure was an amendment to the Social Services Act effective as of May 1, 2013. According to the minister, €186 million was spent on active labour-market policies in 2010, with 126,000 people landing jobs as a result. The amount of funding dropped to €162 million in 2011, when the policies secured jobs for 124,000 people. In 2012, the €142,000 spent on such measures resulted in jobs for 172,000 people. Around 197,000 people who were previously listed at job centres found jobs last year thanks to such policies that cost €127,000. “We've done a lot in reality for a small amount of money”, said Richter. The minister also expressed his conviction that the Government has been successful in its fight against youth unemployment. He pointed out that the number of unemployed young people registered at job centres went down from 131,361 in 2012 to 119,479 in March 2014. According to Richter, a measure whereby companies are granted a reduction in their levy payments levies provided that they employ a long-term unemployed person has also proved successful. The measure became effective as of November 1 of last year, with 1,956 employers making use of it. “This policy is showing itself to be effective and successful”, he said.
