The National Labout Office (NÚP) predicts that it will run out of funds to pay unemployment benefits before the end of the year.
NÚP Director Jaroslav Sumny told a news conference on June 30 that the office expects to pay out 1.8 billion crowns in jobless benefits in 1999 (on forecasts of 18% unemployment), leaving the fund a full billion crowns short.
If the NÚP runs out of money, the government is obliged by law to extend it a loan.
