Bulgaria has the highest growing percentage of employment and reduction of unemployment, said Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova.

The Minister, on a visit to Smolyan, said unemployment in August was slightly below 7 per cent, which is the average percentage in the European Union, Focus news agency said.

“Unfortunately in the District of Smolyan unemployment is 11.29 per cent and for the Municipality of Smolyan 8.29 per cent,” she said. Labour and Social Policy Ministry would continue to work on various projects in order to further reduce the percentage.

For 2008 – 2009 the National Employment Plan and the Programme Human Resource Development would emphasise qualifications and pre-qualifications of those with low qualifications and the long term unemployed.

Maslarova said there were 270 000 unemployed, of whom 155 000 were without basic education. More emphasis would be put on education, as lack of education would lead to unemployment and poverty, Maslarova said.