The average number of people on unemployment benefits in Slovakia was 22,700 in the first quarter of this year, which is an increase of 2,100 compared with the last quarter of 2007, the SITA newswire wrote.
However, this is a drop of 317 people when compared with Q1 2007, as data of the Sociálna Poisťovňa social security provider shows.
SP’s budget for 2008 includes Sk1.87 billion in unemployment benefits that will be distributed to 21,200 people at an average of Sk7,350 a month. Meanwhile, revenues from unemployment insurance should reach almost Sk7.89 billion this year. Just like in the previous years, the surplus will go to cover the deficit in the pension insurance system.
Unemployment insurance equals 2 percent from a policyholder’s base income, with half paid by the employee and the other half paid by the employer. The minimum monthly base is Sk8,100 and the maximum is four time the average wage, or Sk75,044. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
