The Government-funded project for employment of 4,000 people in municipalities for a period of six months is to be launched this summer.

The project, funded by the Government with EUR 1,5 million, was in the focus of Friday's meeting in the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS), attended by Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, Minister of Local Self-Government Nevzat Bejta, and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski.

ZELS chairman and Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski said the initiative for engagement of seasonal workers in the sectors of street cleaning and greenery maintenance would contribute to the environment protection and improved conditions for citizens.

FinMin Stavreski said the temporary employment of these 4,000 people would benefit both them and municipalities.

"I expect the project to start this summer, similar to the one we realized in 2009. In these times of Europe's debt crisis, the Government and municipalities will help the unemployed to obtain income for their families, whereas municipalities will benefit from the improvement of living conditions", said Stavreski.

According to him, the project would be extended if circumstances improved in the meantime.

Advantage would be given to individuals who have been unemployed for a longer period, persons with basic qualifications, and those above the age of 55, i.e. people who face difficulties in finding jobs at the labor market.

A six-month job contract would be signed, with the monthly salary amounting to Denar 7,000 (EUR 115).