The mechanism for the implementation of the “First Seal” (from 1 January 2022), the double payment of the Minimum Guaranteed Income to the beneficiaries for the month of December and the extension of the program of 100,000 new jobs are provided, inter alia, in an amendment of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Cases submitted to the bill of the Ministry of Justice “Amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, other provisions of the Ministry of Justice”.
The same amendment provides for the possibility of transitioning from the fixed adjustment of 12 installments to the adjustment of up to 72 installments for debts that were created during the pandemic and had already been settled.
More detail:
1. The “First Seal” starts on January 1, 2022, ie the program for the first time to enter the labor market of young people aged 18-29 without previous service, in order to facilitate their first employment by a private sector employer. The subsidy provides incentives for young people to look for the interested company to hire them to receive the subsidy, as well as for employers to create new jobs as wage costs are reduced.
Under the program, the state budget subsidizes for six months each hiring of a young person without work experience with a full-time employment contract, in the amount of 1,200 euros shared between an employee and an employer. In other words, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs pays 600 euros directly to the newly hired person, in six equal monthly installments, in addition to his salary and regardless of his amount. An amount of 600 euros is paid to the employer to cover part of the salary expense. The “First Badge” also applies to part-time jobs, as it is also aimed at students seeking professional experience while studying. In this case, the subsidy is reduced by half. If the contract lasts less than six months, the new job is subsidized according to the time of employment and the type of contract (full-time or part-time). For their inclusion in the program, the companies of the private sector submit a declaration to PS ERGANI.
It is noted that the program is accompanied by a job retention clause and can be combined with the open program of 100,000 new jobs, as a company -if it wishes- can simultaneously include the beneficiary with the terms and conditions provided in it. On the contrary, the participants in the “First Seal” can not join the “SYN-ERASIA” mechanism.
2. The program of 100,000 subsidized jobs established by the ministry as a measure to halt the side effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the labor market is extended. From January 1, 2022 the projected positions increase by 50,000, to 150,000. A joint decision of the Ministers of Finance and Labor and Social Affairs determines the terms, conditions, the amount of the subsidy, etc.
3. The monthly income support for the beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income (EEI) is doubled for December. The payment of the surcharge will take place on December 15, 2021 and will precede the regular payment that takes place at the end of each month by OPEC. The regulation aims to further support households living in extreme poverty, taking into account, inter alia, the increased impact of the health crisis on the most socially vulnerable groups, such as the beneficiaries of the EU.
4. The scope of the existing regulation is extended in up to 72 installments, of the debts that were created during the pandemic period, and concern the employment periods from February 2020 to June 2021. Specifically, it is possible to switch from the fixed adjustment of 12 installments to that of 72 installments, ie these debts in case they have already been settled in 12 installments to be adjusted to 72. The measure was deemed necessary for the further facilitation of businesses due to the lack of market liquidity and the difficulty of fulfillment of insurance obligations. It responds to a number of relevant requests that have been submitted to the Insurance Debt Collection Center (KEAO) of e-EFKA and is in line with a corresponding provision for tax debts.
5. It is possible to extend the cleaning contracts concluded at the level of the twelve (12) independent operational administrative units of e-EFKA (PYSY) but also the central service, in order to cover the cleaning needs for the period from the expiration of these contracts and until the completion of the relevant tender procedures, as there is an urgent need for the uninterrupted provision of relevant services and compliance with health and safety measures in the buildings of e-EFKA in the midst of a pandemic.
6. Finally, extraordinary and urgent measures are introduced for the protection of the jobs of employees in companies that were affected by the earthquake of September 27 in the Region of Crete, regardless of industry and business activity. In particular, these companies may suspend the employment contracts of part or all of their employees, from the date of the earthquake and for a period not exceeding three months, with the employees becoming entitled to special purpose compensation 534 per month. Employees whose contracts have been terminated from September 27 until the publication of this, from the date of termination of their employment and for a period not exceeding three months, also become beneficiaries of the above compensation.
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