Tourism Employees in Greece to Get Covid-19 Support

The Greek Labor Ministry announced this week that employees in tourism impacted by Covid-19 containment measures will be eligible for subsidies, compensation and insurance coverage.

In an effort to mitigate the economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictive measures on tourism businesses and employees in the sector, Greek Labor Minister Yiannis Vroutsis on Wednesday announced six support measures which will also apply to activities in culture and to those hit by the Ianos storm in September.

More specifically, the amended bill foresees:

– the 534-euro, special-purpose subsidy for tourism employees and tour bus drivers for October,

– payment of salaries and leave allowance for hotel employees,

– 80 percent coverage of salaries and insurance contributions for year-round hotels which employ more than 50 people,

– four-month payment of employer contributions for tourism enterprises operating all year (includes turnover clause),

– subsidies to enterprises active in culture for the retainment of jobs,

– three-month compensation to those dismissed due to the Ianos hurricane.

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

It is reminded that businesses receiving government Covid-19 support cannot dismiss employees; alter employment contracts for any member of the staff; suspend contracts and include employees in the Syn-Ergasia job retainment program.

Interested parties will be able to apply for support on the labor ministry’s Ergani system online.

On Thursday, Greek Prime Minister ordered a three-week nationwide lockdown starting at 6am on Saturday with the exception of primary schools and kindergartens, which will remain open. Greece reported 2,646 Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours: 823 in Thessaloniki and 588 in the wider Athens area.