OREANDA-NEWS. July 2, 2009. Vladimir Putin: Mr Zhukov, we agreed to constantly monitor the situation on the labour market through the mechanisms we adopted, and to influence the processes there within the scope of our possibilities. So what is the current outlook?

Alexander Zhukov: Mr Putin, we have been monitoring the labour market every week. You know that there have been new positive developments since the end of April: the number of jobless people registered at employment agencies has started falling gradually.

As of June 24, the number of unemployed is 2.177 million. Between June 17 and June 24, this amount fell by 17,000. The second positive aspect is that the unemployment rate is falling in 75 regions.

Vladimir Putin: Last week, the number of unemployed fell by 25,000, the week before by 20,000...

Alexander Zhukov: This is the average rate.

Vladimir Putin: About 20,000.

Alexander Zhukov: Yes, about 20,000 people per week. Since the end of April, the number of registered unemployed has been falling by 0.5% per week.

There are eight constituent entities where unemployment is still growing. We intend to pay special attention to these regions and monitor the implementation of the regional employment programmes.

The number of people participating in regional employment programmes is about 750,000. Over 42,000 contracts worth 8.7 billion roubles were signed with different organisations for public works, temporary jobs and on-the-job training.

All in all, about 10 billion roubles have been channelled to finance regional programmes under the signed contracts. The number of people who got temporary jobs and who attended training courses proves that in most regions, these programmes are quite effective. About 10,000 availed themselves of the opportunity of self-employment, I mean they started small and medium-sized businesses.

By the way, as regards small and medium-sized business, we encourage its development not only through regional employment programmes, but also through other programmes, which allow people to get loans to build their own business. Considerable sums have been allocated for these aims.

Vladimir Putin: As we agreed, particular attention must be paid to single-industry towns and the enterprises that are local economic mainstays and major employers.

In this context, I would like to emphasise that all proposed solutions should be practicable and realistic, I mean no sand castles. Your colleagues should propose solutions that could be promptly translated into reality, because, as I mentioned many times before, we are talking about peoples' lives, and these people are waiting for practical action, not deliberations and empty promises.

Alexander Zhukov: Mr Putin, we are paying special attention to single-industry towns and their enterprises.

I gave relevant instructions to prepare emergency assistance programmes and action plans as regards 20 single-industry towns where the situation is especially grave, where the local enterprises were either closed or about to be closed, and where many people are facing dismissal. These programmes will either help the local enterprises to survive if they are still viable, or provide alternative jobs for local residents. We will consider the programmes and I will report on this issue separately.

Vladimir Putin: Good.