The government could preserve 100,000 jobs in Hungary through its HUF 36bn (EUR 122.85bn) crisis-management strategy, Social and Labor Affairs Minister Erika Szucs said on Monday.
Ms Szucs said that the government currently has HUF 16bn available for job- preservation measures, while it will have a further HUF 20bn in European Union funding available for such purposes beginning in April.
The social and labor affairs minister noted that of the HUF 16bn in current government funds for job preservation, HUF 6bn would be distributed through the National Employment Public Foundation and HUF 10bn through regional crisis-management funds and employment centers.
Enterprises can apply for job-preservation support from the regional funds beginning on February 3.The resources may be used to support a temporary reduction in work hours combined with training and to fund the hiring of workers whose jobs are threatened or have already been eliminated.
Social and Labor Affairs Ministry Secretary Judit Szekely said that companies would likely show the greatest interest in the program involving part-time work combined with technical training.