[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Unemployment rate in southern Lauchenoiria at record high
28th June 2019

Unemployment in the southern provinces of Costeno, Ecanta and Ulinaria is at a record high, following job shortages caused by last year’s civil war. Thousands of individuals who were resident in the cities of Summersea, Carville and Annatown at the time of the war remain displaced, homeless or living in temporary accommodation arranged by the government.

In cases where accommodation is available, many Lauchenoirians are struggling to afford to rent or buy, as a result of high unemployment. While temporary accommodation for displaced individuals is available from the government for free, it has been reported that this is often overcrowded due to excessively high demand.

Oscar Aparicio is a resident of Summersea who lost his job in a plastic recycling plant after it was destroyed during last year’s civil war. Aparicio is uncertain which of the many armies who passed through Summersea was responsible for the destruction, but it does not matter to him, as he blames all the sides of the war equally.

“The Communists tell us that Laura Moore was a traitor and that’s why they had to go to war. Laura Moore tells us she was protecting democracy. All the other nations involved say they were defending an ally. I doubt any of them are the whole truth, and even if they are, it wasn’t worth it. All of Lauchenoiria continues to suffer because of the mistakes they made.”

Aparicio is living with his wife, three children and his elderly mother in a small apartment in temporary accommodation given to the family by the government after his home was destroyed during fighting between Laeralian and Gonhogian forces last July. He says it is inadequate, there are only two small bedrooms between six people and they are relying on food from foreign aid organisations as none of the family has been able to find work.

Residents of the southern provinces are hopeful that aid packages provided by Laeral, Zamastan and Shuell will assist in the rebuilding of parts of the country destroyed by the war, and will lead to a revitalisation of the economy and thus greater employment opportunities. The rebuilding of houses and businesses is already underway, but people are concerned that without more jobs they will be unable to afford to move out of the temporary accommodation even if better options are theoretically available.

Lauchenoirian Democratic Alliance presidential candidate Alex Marwick addressed the situation during a speech in Annatown yesterday evening, saying: “it is important that we stand by the communities which were hardest hit by the war, providing support for every individual who lost their livelihood during the war until such time they no longer need it. We cannot turn our backs on anyone in this country, especially at the time they need help the most.”

His opponent, Conservative candidate Alberto Causer, has also pledged to support those affected by the war, and has stated the importance of improving the economic situation in Lauchenoiria: “with a stronger economy, we will have more job opportunities across Lauchenoiria. We must focus on improving the state of the economy, which has suffered greatly following the conflict. We must do everything in our power to ensure we have a full recovery from last year’s war.”