PM announces launch of large-scale public employment programme from March

The government initiative of launching a previously announced employment programme that will replace social benefits with jobs for up to 200,000 citizens will commence on March 1, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced at the government meeting on Monday. 

Garibashvili had revealed the initiative several weeks ago, with new details showing the programme will be led by the newly appointed economy minister Levan Davitashvili, and based on examples of European countries. 

Our main task is to overcome poverty and create job opportunities. We need to change social policies and we are well-aware that one way to tackle poverty is to create new jobs. Therefore, we must start an active employment policy this year,” the PM said in comments earlier today.

Garibashvili explained the initiative would provide socially vulnerable citizens fit for work with jobs instead of the current social assistance, pointing out that over 200,000 out of 600,000 citizens in the socially vulnerable category were able to work, but "do not participate in the economy and are demotivated to be employed legally."

We must help socially vulnerable citizens, children, and people with disabilities, everyone who needs it. These people need employment, [social] activation, self-realisation,”  Garibashvili said.