How can I register as unemployed?

You need to get in touch with the National Empowerment Foundation. On this telephone number (403 02 80), you can register yourself as unemployed and you will need to leave the following information when calling:

1. Identity Card Number
2. Address & Contact number for you
3. Your age
4. Your current qualifications
5. 3 jobs/activities you'd like to do in order of preference

It seems you are also able to get Transition Unemployment Benefit (TUB) which helps you financially for a maximum period of 12 months. This, however, seems to be based on you having a previous job and the rates are as follows:

• 90% of last base salary for the first 3 months
• 60% of the last base salary for month 4 to 6
• 30% of the last base salary for month 7 to 12

Those who are registered with the Workfare Programme and who decide to take training with an employer can get benefits as follows:

• Rs10,000 for a degree holder
• Rs6,000 for a diploma holder
• Rs5,000 for an HSC holder
• Rs3,000 for people who've been fired or unemployed women over 40 years
• Rs3,000 for all other categories of unemployment

It might be worth to check out their website and call them for further information.

Good luck!

Update Apparently, you need to have been registered with NEF previously before you could be entitled to the above benefits. This means that you either must have got a job through them and are now fired or must have been on placement through them as a graduate.

So someone who've just finished University cannot claim just because he cannot find a job. Similarly a person (with or without qualifications) would not get a single cent even if he's lost his job or is unemployed for whatever reason.