Photo: Marie Perell
Social security cash benefits will be increased; the average social pension will be increased to the subsistence amount of RUB 4,245 per month (US$ 141). Measures to support the unemployed and get them back to work have also been launched. The maximum unemployment benefit has increased by 50 percent since the beginning of 2009. Another priority is to help improve laid off workers' competitiveness on the labour market through advanced training, retraining for jobs that are in greater demand, or resettling them to regions where demand for their professional skills exceeds supply. The federal budget has earmarked additional RUB 43.7 billion (approx US$ 1.45) to stabilise employment.
Sources
ISSA, (April 2009). Seminar on Social Security in Times of Crisis: Impact, Challenges and Responses. Presentation of Russia - Ms. Natalia Antonova, Deputy Director, Department of Analysis and Prognosis of Public Health Development and Social and Labour Spheres, Russian Federation. www.issa.int/aiss/News-Events/Events/Seminar-on-Social-Security-in-Times-of-Crisis-Impact-Challenges-and-Responses