KHOROG, May 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- 825 unemployed have been placed in jobs in Gorno Badakhshan over the first four months of this year, according to Mamadkarim Nazirov, an official with the GBAO directorate for employment, migration and social protection of the population.

According to him, half of them have found jobs at local job fairs.  In April alone, almost 200 people were placed in jobs.

“In all, 20 job fairs have been held in the region since the beginning of this year,” said Nazirov, “More than 150 enterprises and organizations participated in those fairs, offering more than 3,400 jobs; however, only 413 people have been employed through the job fairs, because people do not want to work for low salaries offered by local enterprises and organizations.”

Over the report period, preferential loans for a total amount of 153,000 somoni have been provided to 112 jobless, Nazirov said.  Besides, 425 people have been sent to paid public works and some 100 other jobless have been sent to take refresher courses.