The Georgian government announced that the state public employment program for socially vulnerable groups will be suspended, marking the end of its current four-year cycle, according to Giorgi Kakauridze, Deputy Minister of Finance.
Launched in 2022 under former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the program provided employment to around 40,000 people by 2024. Kakauridze explained that the program was designed as a temporary initiative to address unemployment during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Today, unlike at the start of the program, the labor market faces shortages rather than surplus. Employing these individuals in public work would exacerbate these shortages,” Kakauridze said. He added that assistance for these workers will now focus on retraining and preparing them for private-sector employment.
“The state will no longer serve as the employer for these individuals. They will not be engaged in public works, but support will be provided to help them find opportunities in the private sector,” Kakauridze concluded.
