Regional employment subsidies should continue - deputy PM
MOSCOW. May 7 (Interfax) - Deputy Russian Prime Minister Olga Golodets said she disagreed with a proposal by Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev about suspending subsidies to the regions to support employment.
"We don't agree. We've submitted a document on continuing this program. We propose another four regions, in order to continue this program and not allow tension to mount in the labor market," she told reporters following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin devoted to the fulfillment of his May decrees.
"We mustn't forget that we still haven't boosted production. We expect that the financial and economic block will be able to turn the tide, but this isn't happening yet," Golodets added.
She said that production volumes are still falling, which inevitably increasing tension on the labor market.
Golodets noted that today can be characterized by a different demography and a workforce deficit, which provides serious support. "But it's necessary to work in advance," she said.
Employment subsidy programs have already started to be carried out for four regions, Golodets said. It has been suggested that another four regions also receive subsidies, bringing the total to eight Russian Federal Subjects. Programs are being carried out in the Republic of Tatarstan, Altai territory, Mordovia and Tver region.
Asked about the amount of budgetary funds to go towards these programs, Golodets said that only 52 billion rubles is planned to go towards supporting the Russian labor market. The first four regions will include just over 1.5 billion rubles, while a similar amount is assumed to go towards the new four subjects.
