Otar Shamugia and Zurab Azarashvili meets socially vulnerable groups employed under the frame of the state employment program in the Imereti region

Otar Shamugia and Zurab Azarashvili meets socially vulnerable groups employed under the frame of the state employment program in the Imereti region

The large-scale employment program was launched upon the initiative of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Gharibashvili in the spring, 2022. The beneficiaries of the state employment program are able-bodied people who are receiving social benefits. It should be mentioned, that job opportunities are created specifically for target groups under the program, involving activities any qualified person can do.

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mr. Otar Shamugia together with the Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Protection Mr. Zurab Azarashvili held a meeting with socially vulnerable groups employed under the frame of the state employment program in the Imereti region.

"The main goal of our Government is to overcome poverty by creating new jobs. It is essential for able-bodied people to be active in the labor market, become motivated and competitive. The state program allows citizens to follow this course of action. Accordingly, they live a more fulfilling life on the one hand, and on the other hand, their economic / living condition is improved, their income is increased, and most importantly, the employment in public work does not involve the termination of social assistance or welfare benefits for citizens. Their allowance is maintained for 4 years and they get an additional, extra payment by participating in the program," said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia.

2,160 jobs were created in the Agencies of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture: National Food and Environmental Agencies, Agricultural Laboratory, Protected Areas and National Forestry Agencies, and state company Georgian Amelioration LTD.

Currently, 989 people receiving social benefits are employed in various positions, out of which 464 people are hired in the National Food Agency, 75 in the National Environmental Agency, 233 are employees of the National Forestry Agency, 137 persons work at the Protected Areas Agency, 9 ones are hired in the Agricultural Laboratory, and 71 are employees of the Georgian Amelioration. Moreover, 1171 more citizens will be employed in the system of the Ministry by the end of the year.

The Ministers got acquainted with the activities and working conditions of socially vulnerable citizens employed in Adjameti Managed Reserve, Zestafoni "log sort yard" of the National Forestry Agency and National Food Agency program for the fight against the Asian Stink Bug.

Mr. Zviad Shalamberidze, the state representative in Imereti region, and Mr. Bezhan Tsakadze, the member of the Parliamentary Majority attended the meeting.