Azerbaijan, Baku, January 26 / Trend , U.Ismayilova/
A new program for self-employment of unemployed is being developed in Azerbaijan, with the assistance of the International Labor Organization (ILO), chief of the head employment service of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Azerbaijan Anar Badalbeyli said on Jan. 26.
"Upon the new program, unemployment benefits will be one-time, whereas today it is paid within six months," said Badalbeyli.
According to him, the new program envisages providing accumulated amount of money, with which every unemployed person him/herself will be able to provide any kind of employment for themselves. Badalbeyli also said that the employment service will hold professional trainings for one-time recipients of unemployment benefit.
"In 2010 we are going to move from passive forms of employment to active, as well as to create conditions for the development of small businesses," said Badalbeyli.
According to the data provided by the employment service, in 2009, 5086 people were referred to the status of unemployed, and 5687 people received unemployment benefits. The benefits increased from 24 manat in 2006 to 55 manat in 2009. The budget of the State Social Protection Fund allocated 4.00005 million manat for financing unemployment benefits last year.
The unemployment rate in Azerbaijan decreased from 6.1 percent in 2008 to 6 percent in 2009.
Official rate on Jan. 26 is 0.8034 AZN/USD.