In the Vitebsk region, the largest number of vacancies are in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as reported at the final meeting of the committee for labor, employment, and social protection of the regional executive committee.

Demand for skilled workers is growing in the Vitebsk region, with the largest number of vacancies offered by agricultural, forestry, and fishing enterprises. This was announced by the chairman of the committee, Alexander Khristoforov, at the final meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Labor, Employment, and Social Protection Committee.

As of January 1, 2017, nearly 2.5 thousand vacancies were declared in the region as a whole, which is consistent with the level at the beginning of 2016. Employment services monitor the correspondence of registered vacancies to their actual availability in organizations. Last year, 393 organizations were inspected, and violations of employment legislation by employers were found in 21 of them.

"The labor market currently needs more skilled workers. The largest number of vacant jobs are declared by agricultural, forestry, and fishing enterprises – 23% of the total number, manufacturing industry – 20%, healthcare and social services – 14%, wholesale and retail trade, car repair – 10%, construction – 4.5%. Due to the imbalance in supply and demand in terms of professional and qualification structure, the average employment period has increased from 1.8 to 2.2 months since the beginning of this year compared to the beginning of 2016," noted Alexander Khristoforov.

Over Br5 million has been allocated for employment assistance and the implementation of employment promotion measures for the population in the Vitebsk region. Last year, over 4.9 thousand people were employed in newly created jobs through the establishment of new enterprises and production facilities (149.3% of the annual target), including over 2.3 thousand (111%) through the creation of new enterprises. In 2017, it is necessary to employ 5750 people in created jobs.

In general, Alexander Khristoforov noted that all the main results expected by the end of 2016 from the subprogram of the State Program for Social Protection and Employment of the Population for 2016-2020 have been achieved. This includes employment, training of citizens in specialties, organization of temporary employment for youth, public works during the period of searching for permanent jobs, and so on. Special

Attention was and continues to be paid to citizens who are unable to compete on equal terms in the labor market. In 2016, more than 2.3 thousand people were employed, including almost 980 people under quota, who are particularly in need of social protection.

Ekaterina Knyazeva - BELTA.