Changes to the terms of the First Signal programme - introduced by Law No. 4855/2021 (Article 196) and "running" since the beginning of the year; they are introduced by an amendment of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs . The amendment was tabled in the draft bill of the Ministry of Finance for the reform of the institutional framework of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund. The aim of the changes is to make the programme more attractive. At the same time to operate more effectively as a tool to increase the employment of young people, aged 18-29, without previous experience.

The proposed amendments lead, as stated in a communication, to a strengthening of the existing programme.

Increase in the amount of the subsidy for the First Mark

The most important improvement is the large increase in the amount of the grant awarded. The increase applies both to private sector employers for each new dependent job created under the First Signpost and subsidised by the budget, and to employees.

More specifically, in relation to the current framework that provides for a total subsidy for each job of € 1,200 for six months (and which is shared equally between the employee and the employer) with the introduced regulation the total amount of the grant is increased to EUR 3 600 for each new job included in the program. The surcharge is foreseen for the same period of time (6 months).

Grant allocation

The subsidy of 3,600 euros is distributed as follows: An amount of 1,800 euros is paid directly to the newly recruited young person. This is divided into six equal monthly instalments, in addition to his monthly salary and irrespective of its amount. The remaining €1,800 is paid directly to the newly recruited young person's employer to cover part of the compensation costs. Enhanced subsidies create stronger incentives to join the programme. If the new recruitment concerns a part-time contract:

• the subsidy is halved
• The new job is subsidized in proportion to the time worked and the type of contract (full-time or part-time)

If the contract is for a fixed term of less than six months: It is recalled that the First Signature is accompanied by a job retention clause and is valid until the end of the year.

First Emblem - Other provisions

In addition, with arrangements proposed in the same amendment, inter alia:

• The possibility and obligation of e-EFKA services to take into account any available public document is generalized, to prove any element necessary for the issuance of the act awarding a pension and the calculation of its amount, such as the personal situation of the applicant, the time of his insurance, the insurable status and the time thereof and the payment or debt of insurance contributions. The aim is thus to speed up the process of awarding pensions even further.
• The exception for the insured persons of the former OGA in the regulation established – in the bill "Jobs Again" – is deleted, thanks to which insured persons who are close to the limits for the establishment of a pension right can recognize more insurance time: Now also insured by the 'OGA' fund who have reached the age of 67 and need up to 150 days of insurance in order to establish a right to a full pension - provided that they have not recognised more than 5 notional years of insurance - they recognise up to 150 days of insurance by paying the corresponding contributions on the basis of the wages of an unskilled worker in force at the time of recognition.

The new voucher program is introduced for the participation of infants, children and toddlers in preschool education and care programs, as well as children and adolescents in creative employment programs

Target groups are infants, toddlers and children aged from 2 months to the age of enrolment in compulsory pre-school education, primarily the most vulnerable children. This ensures that children can enjoy affordable and quality early childhood education and care. And also that can engage in quality extracurricular creative activities. After the provision of the educational program "Hive", the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs secured the necessary resources from the new NSRF on the financing of the participation of children in the programmes of crèches and nurseries, as well as day care centres and centres for the disabled, and for the first time introduces a child-centred regulation, with full respect for children and their families.

• Provision is made for the possibility of settling the debts of the institutions under the National Social Care System in 48 instalments and offsetting them against the grants received by these institutions, up to 30% of these grants. Being subject to this regulation allows institutions to obtain insurance clearance, and administrative enforcement proceedings against them are suspended.