KHOROG, February 26, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Three job fairs held in Gorno Badakhshan over past several days have offered more than 800 job vacancies, Asia-Plus has learned from Mamadkarim Nazirov, an official with the GBAO agency for migration, employment and social protection of the population.  However, only 71 persons have been placed in jobs.  In all, 1,600 residents of the region have attended the fairs.

The fairs were held in Khorog as well as Rushan and Roshtqala districts.  20 organizations participated at the Khorog job fair.  They offered 700 jobs and only 21 persons were placed in jobs.

“Many unemployed do not want to get jobs because of low wages,” Nazirov said, noting that residents do not trust in employers.

In January 2009, an average monthly wage in the region was 193 somoni (equivalent to US$52.00), which was 62 somoni more than in the same period of last year, according to the GBAO agency for statistics.

According to official data, some 5,000 residents of the region have been officially registered as unemployed to this date.  In the meantime, local experts assume that the actual number of employed in Gorno Badakhshan is much higher than the official data shows.

Local authorities intend to hold job fairs every month.