Portugal creates 175,000 new jobs since 2013

Debt-laden Portugal has created 175,000 jobs since 2013, Portugal's Minister of Solidarity, Employment and Social Security Pedro Mota Soares revealed Monday.

"Fighting for employment and the creation of more jobs is a priority. We know we have to continue working with companies and employers, where active measures for employment can be very important," he said, according to Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

Mota Soares said that although unemployment had fallen significantly in the past year, unemployment was still a great concern. He announced that the government would spend 1.5 million euros (1.65 million U.S. dollars) to train employees and combat seasonal variations to employment in the region.

"Given the success achieved with the three previous editions of the program, which surpassed expectations, we have decided to allocate 1.5 million euros to reach around 2,000 people," he announced.

Since the program was applied in 2011, 131 companies and 2,164 unemployed people have received support, Lusa reported.

Portugal's unemployment stands at over 13 per cent and the country is also struggling with a public debt amounting to over 130 percent of GDP. Enditem