Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthhard says she wants to increase financing to combat unemployment in the country.

She is to propose to the cabinet up to an additional SFr400 million ($375 million) for a package of measures.

"We need SFr300 - 400 million above the SFr600 million which is in the budget for unemployment insurance for special measures for the labour market," she told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper.

That would mean an investment of SFr1 billion which was worth it, she said.

Leuthard said the money should be mainly used to combat youth unemployment. One idea was to give subsidies to companies who helped train young people and help them gain employment.

"We really have to do more... It is dangerous for society when young people have no prospects after being trained," she said.

Leuthard last month called for increased cooperation among both employers and trade unions so that young people could have a better education. She also advised companies to continue to employ their apprentices after their vocational training.

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