3 June, Minsk / Yekaterina Nechayeva - BELTA /. Belarus' budget has sufficient funds to provide targeted social assistance to low-income citizens. This was stated today to journalists at the House of Representatives by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marianna Shchetkina, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "State targeted social assistance for low-income citizens is provided from the republican budget. The funds necessary to provide assistance to these individuals, regardless of how many apply, if they meet the criteria outlined in the decree, will be found; they are available," the Minister stated. At the same time, she drew attention to the fact that local authorities must take measures to assist the most vulnerable categories of citizens, including single individuals, disabled persons, and large families. In her opinion, the forms of this assistance can vary, including by assigning such low-income citizens to enterprises and organisations. Given the current economic situation, the social responsibility of private business is increasing. According to the Minister, individual entrepreneurs and representatives of private business have recently recognised their social responsibility and often take patronage over specific families, which is becoming a common practice. "We must consider all preventive measures for various economic scenarios, as optimisation of the workforce (at enterprises) will occur due to the modernisation of the economy," said Marianna Shchetkina. She emphasised that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is already working proactively, in particular, state funds are allocated for retraining employees of enterprises. This means the state will reimburse employers for funds spent on retraining workers. Furthermore, when considering the draft law on employment, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection proposes to provide for the possibility of advanced retraining. -0-

BELTA