Republic

Belarus has a lowest unemployment rate in Eastern Europe

Belarus has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Eastern Europe — 1.2%. The fact was pointed out by the Belarusian delegation at the 45th session of the UN Commission for Social Development in New York. The session’s agenda is topped by Macroeconomic Policy for Full Employment and Decent Work for All. BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian foreign ministry, the Commission for Social Development is the key UN body for surveying the fulfilment of resulting documents of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development. Every year the commission considers the most important social problems such as better employment, fight against poverty, and youth policies. In their address to UN member-states Belarus’ representatives informed about major directions of the country’s employment policy. The consistent social security oriented economic policy Belarus has been pursuing for over ten years was pointed out. It was stressed that Belarus efforts to improve the employment rate are inseparable from the entire set of measures meant to advance the country’s social and economic development. Delegations of other states were informed about key elements of the 2007 State Employment Programme of Belarus, its goals and measures, including those designed to stimulate the employment of women, youth, and people with limited abilities. Along with setting up agro-towns the programme provides for raising the population employment rate in rural areas. The Belarusian delegation also voiced an opinion about global employment-securing tendencies laid down by a special report of the UN secretary general. Belarus’ representatives pointed out the importance of assistance provided as part of the state policy to ensure a better social security and social justice for people. These two components were named the most important requirements for an active state labour policy. The Belarusian delegation also backed the necessity for countries to prevent the discrimination of agriculture as part of the employment encouragement policy as well as to step up measures to decrease unemployment in the most vulnerable social groups. The 45th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development is to end on February 16.