President urges Government to ensure effective economic support for Ukrainians

“In response, the minister said that the Government reimbursed two-thirds of the salaries to 358,000 people employed by 180,000 self-employed persons who have been on forced temporary leave and have lost their salaries as a result. The Government has also simplified the payment of unemployment benefits as much as possible, helping 510,000 Ukrainians receive them. In addition, the minister reported on the launch of the 5-7-9% lending program and compensation of tax rates to farmers,” the press service of the Head of State informs after traditional President’s conference call on preventing the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19.

The President said that he doubted that those programs significantly helped a large number of Ukrainians.

"It sounds very nice. But many people have suffered, lost their jobs and went on forced leave. In general, people today get paid much less. The state must either provide opportunities to people [so that they can start their own business], or provide a job. The time has come when it is necessary to create many jobs. And the restart of state-owned enterprises and industry should play a strategic role in this," Zelensky said.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal added that the Government spent billions to support business, saved hundreds of thousands of jobs and employed 240,000 people.

The President also raised the issue of ensuring that Ukrainian scientists have the necessary equipment, laboratories, funding, and other things*(vague. Informal) , so that Ukraine has the opportunity to create medicines and vaccines.

As reported, more than a thousand citizens of Ukraine received social benefits during the period of self-isolation.

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