Currency crisis triggered mass unemployment in Belarus

Even the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus (Belstat), which usually minimizes figures, speaks about 600,000 involuntary unemployed.

As a consequence of the complicated situation in the economy and financial sphere, recently 600,000 employees had to suspend their activities, has stated the chairman of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, the chairman of the Council for Entrepreneurship development Uladzimir Zinouski, Interfax reports.

“As the head of the Belstat, I inform you that recently 600,000 employees in the real sector of economy suspected their work on the initiative of their employers and head of the enterprises, because of raw materials shortage,” U. Zinouski said at a conference on issues of Belarusian economy liberalisation in Minsk on Thursday.

He explained that among other things, it is connected with the “exchange rate issues” as well.

“This question is to be solved, and rather quickly, as it could not be dragged on,” said the Belstat head. He added that every businessman who works with imported raw materials or export their products is concerned about currency exchange rate formation issues.

U. Zinouski has also stated that the Belstat regularly reports to the government information concerning the economic situation in Belarus.