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Nearly half a million people could lose their jobs in the second half of the year in Romania, according to some studies, Labor Minister Violeta Alexandru said in a question-and-answer session broadcast live on Facebook on Tuesday.
The Minister of Labor says that the pandemic has seriously affected the economy, the trend in terms of unemployment is increasing and there are studies showing that around 500,000 people could be unemployed in the second half of this year.
“The figures are evolving, unfortunately they are not favorable, the economy is directly affected. I hope to find solutions to get these people to work as soon as possible,” said Violeta Alexandru, who answered a question about an estimate of the unemployment rate. in Romania.
He said the government is also studying the possibility of increasing unemployment benefit for vulnerable categories: young graduates, people with disabilities, people close to retirement. “We are thinking about this measure,” to increase the allocation for the contracts terminated at this time, said the Minister of Labor.
At the moment, the Government’s intention is to extend the technical unemployment grant measure after May 15, both for employers who have employees with suspended work contracts, and for the self-employed. In the first instance, there will be a brief extension, from May 15 to June 1, of the measure for all categories of people. Then, from June 1, a new package of measures will come into force and technical unemployment will be applied in those sectors where the activity restriction will remain. Among these sectors is the industry of events, shows, exhibitions. In addition, restaurants that have closed spaces will be subject to support measures and a decision must be made regarding the commercial spaces that will remain closed. For these areas, a fixed amount will be awarded to employees for three months, after which the support will gradually decrease, as the activity of the respective companies resumes, Violeta Alexandru explained.
Editor: Luana Păvălucă
