State-run Employment Program to cover 200 000 people in 2012

March 27 Kazakhstan’s Government approved changed and amendments into the Employment Program before 2020. Ministers have voted for allocating extra $81 million this year. According to Vice PM Erbol Orynbayev, the Program is to cover up to 200 000 Kazakhstan’s people this year alone. “The new component of the program is development of rural settlements” according to Mr. Orynbayev. When unveiling the State-run Program to boost Employment before 2020 July 11, 2011 the Labour Minister said that the Program would cover a total of 1.5 million people by 2015. The poverty level is to be brought down to 6%, with unemployment standing at 5.5%. In 2011 $274 million was earmarked out of the central budget to finance the program. $341 million was allocated this year before the recent amendments. “I instruct the Government and regional governors to widely implement the Program starting from this year”, President Nazarbayev said in his State of the Nation Address January 27, emphasizing that microcredits should be made available to businesses in rural areas. “For those willing to move to move to urban areas, the Government should provide training and employment opportunities. New jobs should be offered to at least 1.5 million people by 2020”, President said.