MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

40% of Santiago residents concerned with jobs.

According to a public opinion poll, 40% of Santiago residents fear loosing their jobs, 56% believe the government should improve health services and what 20% most hate is paperwork in government offices.

The poll from the Talca University Public Opinion Studies Center with interviews on the positive and negative sides of living in Santiago showed that the second fear is being the victim of a violent crime and growing old without an adequate health system.

Basically 45% of residents want a reliable, accessible health system, (over 50% among the poorest population); 30% a stable job and fair income, while 20% plead for more security against crime.

Santiago residents would like a city with less crime, pollution and unemployment, and consider that health, crime and the Judiciary are the most negative aspects.

Family wellbeing, employment and mingling with people are the relevant activities for Santiago residents who would like to spend more time with their families, traveling and practicing sports. Negative activities include paper work in government offices and having to wait. However public transport, lack of money, insufficient sleep figure with priority in the hate list.

Medardo Aguirre, head of the Public Opinion Studies Center, said that crime, delinquency and personal security outstand in all interviews but this is "closely linked to the ample and sensational media coverage, particularly among the lesser income groups".

"When we ask people what they most fear, loosing their jobs clearly becomes the issue", highlighted Mr. Aguirre, who linked the situation to the latest unemployment figures released by President Ricardo Lagos administration.

In spite of the strong recovery and expansion rate of the Chilean economy, employment remains as a weak spot and stubbornly stands at a national average of two digits.