ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - The Croatian government formally adopted an employment stimulation programme on Thursday after presenting it to the public and the social partners earlier this week. Some 36,700 people should find employment as
part of the programme in the next two years, while in the next four, the government would subsidise it with 1.2 billion kuna (approx. US$145 million).
ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - The Croatian government formally adopted an
employment stimulation programme on Thursday after presenting it
to the public and the social partners earlier this week. Some 36,700
people should find employment as part of the programme in the next
two years, while in the next four, the government would subsidise it
with 1.2 billion kuna (approx. US$145 million).#L#
This year's state budget will be tapped for part of the funds, while
the rest will be secured from future state budgets.
This is a realistic, concrete and development-oriented project,
according to Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac.
Prime Minister Ivica Racan maintains the programme is a strategic
government project which, however, will not solve all
unemployment-related problems. Nevertheless, a step forward had to
be made, and the easiest way was through a project focusing on the
employment of the young and highly educated, Racan said, adding the
project would give almost 18,500 young people a job over the course
of this and next year.
Thanks to state subsidies, the programme is attractive to
businessmen as well, the PM asserts. If an entrepreneur employs ten
young people, thanks to the state's inducements he will pay only
four of them. If the entrepreneur runs his business on an island or a
formerly war-affected area, he will pay just two of ten, he
explained.
Labour Minister Davorko Vidovic said the government was also
working on changes to labour market legislation and the
modernisation of institutions.
The employment stimulation project is set to be realised through
six programmes: "From University to Work", "From Classroom to
Workshop", "Learning One's Way to a Job", "Making Profit Through
Experience", "We Should Be Given A Chance Too", and "Jobs for War
Veterans".
The measures envisage subsidising employment and self-employment,
and education.
Croatia earmarks 0.36 percent of its Gross National Product to
stimulate employment, whereas the percentage in the European Union
is 1.3 percent.
(hina) ha sb