Labour Ministry project may save up to 70,000 jobs -- Necas

By means of grants from the European Social Fund worth Kc3.3bn the government will cover the wage costs for employees who will improve their qualifications, Necas said.

Employers may apply for grants as of next week, and may start the projects as soon as possible. The state will try to make employers' access to the money as easy as possible.

Employees participating in courses may get Kc24,000 a month or up to three times the minimum wage.

Large, mid-sized as well as small businesses can apply for grants. There may be thousands of applicants for the EU money, according to Necas.

Decision on support for the first projects will be made by the ministry in mid-April. One of the projects will last until June 2011.

If there is big demand and the whole amount is used up, the government will prepare further similar projects, said Necas.

Author: ČTK
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