Today, Thursday, the passage of the «Jobs Again» bill», as more than 60 members of parliament have signed up to speak.
The New Democracy party submitted a request yesterday for a roll-call vote on a series of articles in the bill, while the SYRIZA–PS and the KKE called for a roll-call vote on the principle of the bill.
New Democracy: Request for a roll-call vote on a series of articles in the bill
The request concerns the following articles:
In Article 15, «Succession of the Single Account for the Implementation of Social Policies»
In Article 17, «Digital Personal Action Plan»
In Article 19, «Income Requirements for Benefits for the Unemployed and Job Seekers»
In Article 20, «Obligations of the Public Employment Service toward job seekers»
In Article 22, «Consequences of a Breach of Obligations by Job Seekers»
Article 23, «Penalties for Making False Statements Regarding Registration or Continued Enrollment in the Public Employment Service Voter Registry»
In Article 25, «Extension of Unemployment Benefits»
In Article 35, «Individual Skills Account»
In Article 36, «Eligibility and Payment of Providers of Subsidized Continuing Vocational Training»
In Article 38, «Framework for the Evaluation and Accountability of Eligible Providers of Subsidized Continuing Vocational Training»
In Article 48, «Action: «Creation of storage areas within businesses»»
In Article 49, «Eligible Recipients and Beneficiaries of the «Creation of Infant Care Facilities in Businesses» Initiative: Minimum Eligibility Requirements.».
In Article 50, «Organization, Operation, and Staffing of the Storage Facility in the Context of Implementing the Action «Creation of Storage Facilities Within Businesses»”
In Article 51, «Payment of vouchers for Creative Activity Centers for People with Disabilities and meals at Day Care Centers»
Article 55, «Strengthening the Obligations of Social Protection Agencies—Amendment of Articles 7 and 54 of Law 4837/2021»
In the amendment regarding fast-track pensions and «confidence» pensions.
What Does the Bill Proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Provide For?
The bill proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs transforms the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) into the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and introduces provisions for upgrading the workforce’s skills, aligning them with labor market needs, and providing subsidized continuing vocational training.
The bill establishes new digital tools (a digital DYPA card, a digital registry, and a digital individual action plan), which are designed to help the unemployed re-enter the labor market.
Social partners are expected to play a role in developing initiatives and programs related to vocational training and the upskilling of the workforce through the «Special Vocational Training Account» (ELEK), which will be managed by a legal entity established by the social partners.
According to the Ministry of Labor:
- A work allowance is being established for the first time for subsidized unemployed individuals who find work, who, in addition to their salary, will continue to receive 50% of their unemployment benefits until the scheduled date.
For the first time, a bonus of 300 euros is being provided to long-term unemployed individuals (those who have been unemployed for more than 5 years) who develop an Individual Action Plan.
Income criteria are being introduced for the continuation of a range of benefits, allowances, etc., provided to those registered in the OAED Unemployment Registry. The aim of this regulation is to address instances of abuse and fraud that were identified following cross-checks, which revealed cases of high-income individuals who had remained registered in the Registry for years. These criteria are the same as those applied for the heating allowance and do not affect unemployment benefits, which will continue to be provided without income criteria, nor the long-term unemployment benefit and the allowance for self-employed and independent workers, for which the conditions set forth in current legislation remain in effect. Furthermore, there are no changes to the rules governing the Social Household Electricity Tariff (KOT), the discount or exemption from the Single Property Tax (ENFIA), and the heating allowance.
Removal from the Unemployment Registry for two years and suspension of unemployment benefits are mandated after three refusals of suitable job offers, as well as removal from the Registry for six months and suspension of unemployment benefits for refusing to participate in a training program. A suitable job is considered to be one that corresponds to the individual’s professional specialty, knowledge, skills, abilities, formal and substantive qualifications, career goals, and place of permanent residence of the job seeker, as well as the unemployed person’s previous employment and earnings.
The mechanism for identifying labor market needs is being upgraded so that training and employment programs can meet the actual needs of the market.
The «Personal Skills Account» is being established—a digital tool available to citizens that will record the skills, training, and certifications that the trainee receives or is entitled to.
A framework of regulations is being introduced with the aim of embedding the three-pronged approach of «Assessment – Quality – Certification» into the vocational training system, and compensation is being linked to results. Specifically:
It is stipulated that no payment in excess of 40% per beneficiary may be made to the provider if the beneficiary has not completed the program, and no more than 70% if the beneficiary has not been successfully certified as having completed the program.
A Digital Skills Portal is being launched on the website skills.gov.gr so that, with the click of a button, citizens and organizations can stay informed about skills and training.
The bill proposes expanding the responsibilities of the DYPA (Public Employment Service, as the OAED has been renamed), so that it generally covers the housing needs of young people as well.
In particular, provisions are being introduced to facilitate both the acquisition and construction of real estate to be used to house workers, the unemployed, and their families, as well as the utilization of DYPA’s assets to increase its revenue. Furthermore, within this framework, DYPA’s responsibilities are expanded, so that, in addition to meeting the housing needs of the workforce, DYPA can also address the housing needs of young people through the provision of benefits and the implementation of relevant programs.
Under the new regulations, DYPA is authorized to acquire undeveloped and developed properties to fulfill its objectives related to housing assistance, which it has assumed as the successor to the Workers’ Housing Organization. It is also provided that the Agency may partner with public or private entities to construct properties, with the aim of promoting government policies regarding housing protection for the workforce and young people.
For real estate owned by DYPA that is not intended to meet the housing needs of its employees, regulations are being introduced that will allow for better utilization and an increase in revenue . In this context, the agency is authorized to enter into long-term leases, partner with private individuals who may undertake the construction of undeveloped properties, the guarantees they must provide to participate in the relevant tenders, etc.
The bill provides that, effective January 1, 2023, the «Unified Account for the Implementation of Social Policies» (ELEKP) will be abolished as of January 1, 2023, specifies how its funds are to be allocated, and provides for the establishment of a special account named the «Special Vocational Training Account» (ELEK).
