`The International Monetary Fund has approved the 2002 draft budget,` Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Social Policy Minister Lydia Shouleva said on October 25. Speaking at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour Committee Shouleva said that this is the news from the regular governmental meeting. "What had been planned in the social sphere was approved," she said. Social spending for 2002 has been increased by 20%. The IMF accepted the proposal of the Labour and Social Policy Ministry to encourage employers to hire jobless people on a long-term basis. The IMF also approved the suggestions not to impose additional patent tax and voluntary social insurance for opening additional jobs. Shouleva said that as the IMF approved the draft budget, there will be a 10% increase of wages in the state-financed sector and 6% of pensions. The planned amount of BGN 106 M to promote employment will most likely be released. The same provision in the 2001 budget totalled BGN 30 M, Shouleva said. Children benefits will be doubled, but not for all, she said. A bill on family support should be drafted by the end of the year. Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Hristina Hristiva quoted data of the National Statistical Institute according to which 68% of the children in Bulgaria live in families whose members earn up to BGN 125 per capita monthly.

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