A national employment action plan is expected to create 87,000 jobs in Bulgaria, Labor and Social

Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova said on Monday. She said that the global recession creates challenges mostly for the labor markets and people's welfare. Maslarova said that in April the Ministry will start to provide 180 million euros for the creation of new jobs in a bid to preclude large-scale unemployment and to preserve jobs, particularly skilled ones.

On Monday Maslarova opened a two-day conference in Sofia which discusses the transformation of labor, social security and the social dialog.

According to Maslarova, unemployment will mostly affect people with low education. She said that the Science and Education Ministry has set aside 360 million euros for literacy and other training of low-skilled workers.

Maslarova said the pension system here guarantees for pensions to be hiked on three occasions in 2009. She urged for flexibility of the business without sacrificing the social security of employees.

The Minister reiterated that the cabinet is implementing an ambitious anti-crisis program. The Ministry itself has 22 programs to aid employers. She said unemployment benefits are to be increased by 20 per cent. Maslarova cautioned against confrontation among the business, trade unions and the state each of whom will seek to defend its own positions in these difficult times.

Source: BTA