The number of people receiving unemployment benefits increases in 2024

2025-01-09 07:43:00, Ekonomi CNA

As employment agencies are regularly bringing in workers from Asia and Africa to meet the needs of businesses in several sectors, official data show that over the past year, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits has increased (see chart below).

According to administrative data on employment (employees declared with salary in taxes) in the third quarter of 2024, the number of unemployment benefit beneficiaries reached 3576 persons. This was the highest level since the 2020-2021 pandemic crisis.

Unemployment benefit programs are part of state employment policies, which provide income support to people who lose their jobs. Unemployment Payment Programs aim to financially support all unemployed jobseekers in case of unemployment due to reduction of the workplace, termination of the employment contract, bankruptcy of the enterprise, reduction of activity, etc.

Official data show that the number of people who lost their jobs increased last year, while INSTAT has not published official employment indicators since the first quarter of 2024 due to the correlation of the Labor Force Survey sample with 2023 Census data.

Other official indicators such as (GDP) show that the industry sector is in difficulty and in the last two years it is facing bankruptcies of small and medium businesses as a result of the losses that the exchange rate has created in their incomes.

Sources from the Pro-export Association claim that at least 10,000 textile and shoe factory workers have lost their jobs over the past year. Many of them have been integrated into other sectors, or have been included in social support programs (unemployment payments).

Income from unemployment benefits people who have contributed to social security for a period of at least 12 months. To benefit from the payment, they must be registered as unemployed jobseekers at the relevant employment office.

Each beneficiary is paid depending on the period of social security contribution paid by the employer. At least 12 months of social security contributions are required for 3 months of benefits. For 9 months of benefit, at least 5 years of social security contributions are required. Whereas for 12 months of benefits, more than 10 years of social security contributions are needed.

Usually, the monthly unemployment payment is applied at 50% of the official minimum wage, which is currently 20,000 ALL.

International financial institutions have recommended stronger financial support for workers who lose their jobs.

The labor market is going through a strong transition with increased demand in some sectors, especially those related to tourism and construction, and on the other hand there is an increase in unemployment in the industrial sectors./ Monitor Magazine