Total of 860 People Have Found Jobs in 3 Months of 'Work Instead of Benefits'

Kosice, 1 December (TASR) - In the three months since the Employment Services Act including the 'Work Instead of Benefits' initiative entered into force, 860 people have been successfully placed on the labour market, while 38 people are taking up duties as Roma assistants for social inclusion and employment at 17 labour offices starting as of Monday, Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas and Government Proxy for Roma Communities Alexander Dasko told a press conference held in Kosice. According to Tomas, approximately 62,000 people of a total of 120,000 recipients of benefits in material need could potentially work. In the first phase focusing on individuals not registered with labour offices, questionnaires on education and experience were sent to some 27,000 people, followed by more than 13,000 invitations for selection procedures and referrals for job vacancies. "In the first weeks in which this whole system started functioning, 860 people have been placed on the labour market in this way," said Tomas, adding that more than 77 individuals refused a suitable job offer. Tomas also noted that 7,000 people were rejected by employers as unsuitable. In this context, he announced that employers could also use financial incentives from EU funds for recipients of benefits in material need who aren't registered as unemployed. "We want to motivate employers to reconsider and employ even those that they originally rejected," he added. The demand for posts of Roma assistants in the selection procedures was high, said Tomas, adding that a total of 40 assistants should be working at 18 labour offices, mainly in regions with the highest proportion of people in material need and marginalised Roma communities. Dasko said that their role will be to help people navigate the jobs market, to provide them with information in a language they understand, such as Romani or Hungarian, to motivate and guide them in their job search, and to explain the requirements linked to job offers, benefits, and other forms of support. He also stressed the need to motivate employers, urging them give such people a chance. The Employment Services Act entered into force on 1 September. If someone who is able to work refuses a suitable job offer from the labour office, they will lose their benefit in material need or have it reduced. This is intended to motivate unemployed individuals to get a job. jrg/df