The Labour Ministry will extend support measures to help employees, companies and the self-employed weather the crisis unleashed by the coronavirus epidemic till June 12, Phileleftheros reports.
The Council of Ministers is expected to approve the two month extension – from April 12 to June 2 – during a scheduled meeting on Wednesday.
The five measures concern benefits for special sick leave as well as for parental leave because schools have closed. Also, special benefits for companies that have completely or partially been required to suspend operations to cover employees’ salaries.
In addition, the self-employed affected by the situation receive 60% of their insured income and employees who took special sick leave because they are classified as vulnerable by the Health Ministry are also beneficiaries.
Insiders told Phileleftheros that the state will continue supporting the economic activity of companies for another four months so as to prevent dismissal of staff after the imposed emergency measures are lifted. In fact, one said the overall support of the state will last for seven months.
However, the amount to be allocated by the government for the months of June to September has yet to be determined and will all depend on the state’s financial strength.
At the same time, the Ministry is working overtime so as to be ready to pay the relevant benefits to beneficiaries by April 14.
So far, over 100,000 applications have been submitted and it is estimated that government support schemes will cover over 250,000 beneficiaries.
By Eleftheria Paizanou
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