Brasília, June 30, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The federal government will make a R$ 100 million credit line available so that young people can start their own entreprises, as part of the First Job Program, informed the Minister of Labor and Employment, Jaques Wagner, in an interview on the TV Globo's "Good Morning, Brazil" show. The program will be inaugurated this afternoon by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with the goal of finding places on the job market, in 12 months, for 20 thousand young people between the ages of 16 and 24.

The purpose of the First Job Program is to train young people for the market, through a greater offer of vocational courses, and to increase employment opportunities. For the Minister, the program will help low-income and poorly educated segments of the population by guaranteeing them their first job experience.

Wagner informed that, for each new job opening, companies that adhere to the program will receive a R$ 200.00 financial incentive from the State. But he explained that more veteran workers will not be fired because of their age: There are provisions to avoid labor substitution, as well as the hiring of relatives, besides a time requirement of 12 months.

As for the credit line, the Minister commented that the government already has experience in applying these resources, through programs such as the Workers Assistance Fund (FAT), the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), the Federal Savings Bank, and the Bank of Brazil. "What we are going to do is start with a R$ 100 million credit line, in addition to R$ 30 million for preparation and training programs through agreements - such as with Sebrae (Brazilian Small Business Assistance Company), for example - and young people over 18 who want to begin a new business in the form of a small cooperative will receive training and a line of credit."

The Minister of Labor and Employment also informed that President Lula has a special regard for this project, which was accompanied in its preparation by the World Bank, the International Labor Organization, and Unesco, using the experience of other governments and other countries. (DAS)