Three new subsidised employment programmes, each with a different focus and targeting groups that face greater barriers to entering the labour market, are expected to be launched shortly by the Public Employment Service (DYPA), according to Labour Minister Niki Kerameus.
The new schemes differ from general subsidy programmes by seeking to link employment support to specific needs: helping women and older unemployed people return to work, giving young people access to their first job, and supporting the employment of people with disabilities and other vulnerable social groups.
The focus is on three measures: creating 27,494 jobs for unemployed people aged 30 and over, subsidising 1,000 teleworking positions in mountainous and remote areas, and supporting the employment of a further 1,000 people with disabilities in municipalities and regions.
The largest of the three programmes is aimed at 27,494 unemployed people aged 30 and over, with a budget of €279.62 million and funding from the 2021–27 NSRF. The employment subsidy is expected to run for 12 months, with the rate of support for wage costs estimated at close to 80%. Particular emphasis is expected to be placed on women and unemployed people aged over 50, groups that face greater difficulties returning to the labour market.
DYPA is expected to issue a public call in the coming days, setting out the precise terms, subsidy amounts and obligations for businesses.
It is worth noting that a new programme offering 10,000 jobs for women is also under way, with a particular focus on unemployed mothers of children aged up to 15. The programme covers the private sector and all regions of the country, and provides for 5,000 full-time positions (most of which have been filled) and 5,000 part-time positions.
Teleworking
The programme for 1,000 full-time teleworking positions introduces a new model of subsidised employment. It is aimed at registered unemployed people aged 18 and over who live in mountainous and remote areas.
According to reports, the budget stands at €15.756 million, funded from national resources. The subsidy is expected to cover 90% of wage and social security costs for 12 months, while a cap of €1,300 on gross monthly pay is being considered.
The innovation is that workers will be able to take jobs with private-sector businesses without having to move or change their place of residence. The first phase is expected to focus on 38 mountainous municipalities.
Unemployed people with disabilities
The third measure expands the existing employment programme for unemployed people with disabilities, adding 1,000 new jobs. This is the programme’s second expansion, bringing the total number of places for people with disabilities to 4,000.
Under the previous call, the programme was extended to second-tier local authorities (Regions), in addition to municipalities (first-tier local authorities). It covers full-time or part-time employment for a period of 18 months and provides for 75% of wages and social security contributions to be covered (up to €750 a month or €13,500 in total per beneficiary), with the remaining amount paid by the relevant municipality or region. Eligible applicants are people with disabilities registered in DYPA’s Digital Register of Unemployed Persons.