22:10, 19 May 2011

Zhukov: the level of unemployment in Northern Caucasus is four times higher than the average Russian index

The unemployment level in the republics of Northern Caucasus is almost four times higher than in Russia on the whole, Alexander Zhukov, Vice-premier of Russia, reported at a conference in Essentuki devoted to the situation in labour market in North-Caucasian Federal Okrug. Zhukov criticized the regional administrations for not exploiting the assets allotted on reduction of unemployment.

The per cent of unemployed in NCFO made 8,7 during the period from January to April, 2001, while the average Russian index is 2,1%, Zhukov said.

According to him, the level of unemployment is especially high in Chechnya (41,3%) and Ingushetia (21,8%), "Interfax" reports.

"In spite of the fact that the crisis has come to an end we decided to go on financing regional programs which help reduce the tension at the labour market in 2011 but at the moment they are very poorly realized", Zhukov emphasized.

"The assets are practically not exploited at all. For instance, not a single ruble has been exploited in Karachay-Cherkessia. Realization of the program has not even started there", "Commersant" newspaper quotes Zhukov.