The number of Slovaks eligible to receive unemployment benefits dropped in November for the third straight month. Sociálna Poisťovňa, Slovakia’s social security provider, paid out unemployment assistance to over 50,200 people in November, a drop of 6,100 persons compared to October, the TASR newswire reported.
In a year-on-year comparison, however, the number of beneficiaries has surged by almost 26,900, and the number of people receiving unemployment benefits grew for nine months in a row until late September 2009, from nearly 23,400 in November 2008 to a five-year high of 63,500 in August 2009.
The Slovak cabinet has not yet decided whether the period of eligibility for unemployment benefits will be extended from the current six months to eight. This alternative was initially included in a draft revision to the law on employment-related services, which was supposed to indirectly amend the Social Insurance Act. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
