国际英语新闻：Chilean gov't to create at least 250,000 jobs

SANTIAGO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chilean government aims to create more than 250,000 new jobs this year in a bid to reduce the country's unemployment.

Chilean Labor Minister Camila Merino Friday ratified the Chilean government's target to create these jobs.

"We see that the jobs are being created. This year we are going to surpass the 250,000 jobs; we are convinced and committed to surpass this figure," Merino said.

The minister also announced Friday that the unemployment rate in the country is currently at 8 percent. She noted that although this was progress, efforts must continue to reduce Chile's unemployment.

In March, Chilean Finance Minister Felipe Larrain said the country's jobless rate contracted to 8.5 percent in February this year, but the figure was expected to rise in the coming months due to the earthquake in February.

A 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami on Feb. 27 devastated the central and southern region of Chile, killing about 500 people and leaving 500,000 homeless.

The cost of reconstruction is estimated at around 30 billion U.S. dollars.