A record number, a total of 200 thousand people will participate in the Government’s public employment programme during this year’s winter period (form November until the end of April), Minister of State for Employment Sándor Czomba of the Ministry for National Economy announced.

Minister of State Czomba confirmed that 100 thousand participants will be working and a further 100 thousand will receive training within the framework of public work schemes, which will increase their chances of finding employment in the labour market.

The Government will cover the costs of training, a total of some HUF 24 billion (EUR 80 million), from EU funds. The courses will be free of charge and participants will receive the normal wage earned by public work employees. The contracts of those participating in the public work system will be extended until 30 April 2014.

The great number of participants is both an extraordinary potential and a responsibility, the Minister of State said. The biggest employers will be municipalities.

Deputy State Secretary for Public Employment of the Ministry of Interior, Imre Hoffmann stressed that the courses aim at providing opportunities for social inclusion, and giving participants the chance to perform meaningful work.

According to the Ministry for National Economy, a total of 298 753 people have taken part in public work schemes so far in 2013.

(Ministry for National Economy)