ASTANA. April 21. KAZINFORM. /Muratbek Makulbekov/ Kazakh Minister of Labor and Social Protection Gulshara Abdykalikova has reported on the situation in the labor market at the GovernmentТs sitting today. «The situation in the labor market has worsened since the IV quarter of 2008. The number of unemployed increased by 20, 600 people. To date there are about 490,000 unemployed in Kazakhstan. The level of unemployment raised from 6.6 to 7%», the Minister said. Production at 642 enterprises was fully or partially suspended. 243, 000 employees lost jobs. According to the forecast, it is necessary to employ 378, 000 people this year. **** Over 3,000 memos of business social responsibility signed – Labor Ministry ASTANA. April 21. KAZINFORM /Damir Baimanov/ At present the local and executive bodies and employers have reached over 3,000 memorandums of cooperation within the framework of the social responsibility of business amounting to about KZT 74 bln. Kazakh Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection Birzhan Nurymbetov has announced it at a roundtable in the Ministry; Kazinform reports. According to him, signing of these documents foresees social investing. “Entrepreneurs' investment influence on social development of regions: new schools, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, objects of culture, sport and social protection are under construction; low-income citizens are supported”, he noted.