UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASE

This is 7,8% more than in the beginning of the year. Upon information of ministry of statistics and analysis unemployment rate reached 2,3% (in the beginning of the year – 2,1%). The highest rate of unemployment – in the eastern regions of the country. In Vitebsk and Mogilev regions it is 3%, in Gomel region – 2,8%, in Brest region – 2,1, in Minsk region – 2, in Minsk – 1,5. For eight months to offices of employment 203,8 thousand people applied. 144,3 thousand people got status of unemployed. 23,3 thousand people got this status in August. This is 6,9 thousand people, or 42,1% more than in July. Demand of enterprises and organizations to organs of employment was 43,1 thousand people in the end of August. 24 unemployed pretended on 10 vacations in August of 2001, in August of 2000 – 20. Average size of social help for one unemployed in August was 8.817 rubles, or 6% of average salary. In January – July of 2001 167,5 thousand employees of enterprises and organizations (4,4%) worked in regime of not full working day on employer’s initiative. In the same period of 2000 – 120,9 thousand people (3,2%). 172 thousand employers (4,5%) were in compulsory leaves this year. In the same period of 2000 – 163,6 thousand people (4,3%). 61,5 thousand people didn’t get any refund or 35,8% of those who had compulsory leave. For 7 months of the year 484,4 thousand people were fired (12,8% of average monthly quantity of employees), 79,7% of them – on their own initiative, 4,4% -- for absence and violation of working discipline, 2,7% because of liquidation of enterprises.