Unemployment benefits after the increase of the minimum wage

By Dimitris Katsaganis

News, second in a row this yearincrease awaits unemployment benefitsafter that of January 1, 2022 (2%).

From May 1, 2022 together with the minimum wage will increase – equally by 7.5% – and allowances of the Public Employment Service – DYPA (formerly OAED).

So, for example, whoever was unemployed received an unemployment benefit of up to the current month 407.25 euroswill receive from May allowance of 437.7 euros. That is, it will increase by 30.5 euros.

Anyone receiving unemployment benefit € 305.50, will receive a bonus 328.4 euroswhile whoever received € 203.75, will receive € 219.

The will will be similar increase of Christmas and Easter Gifts. The regular unemployment benefit will not be the only DYPA-OAED allowance that will increase.

It is reminded that the current minimum wage of the unskilled worker is set as the basis for calculating the basic unemployment benefit. In particular, the basic unemployment benefit is set at 55% of the unskilled worker’s wage, regardless of whether the unemployed person was paid a monthly wage or wage (increased by 10% for each protected member).

Along with the regular unemployment benefit, the following benefits will be increased:

* Benefits that depend on the regular unemployment subsidy and the wage of the unskilled worker:

-Special unemployment benefit: equal to 13 daily unemployment benefits

-Special allowance after a three-month stay in the unemployment registers: equal to 15 daily unemployment benefits

-Special Aid for those who have served a custodial sentence: equal to 15 daily unemployment benefits

– Special Allowance due to Postponement or Interruption of work: equal to 20 daily unemployment benefits

– Special seasonal aid:

The amount of the special seasonal allowance, for builders, is set at 70% of 37 times the current unskilled wage worker.

The amount of the special seasonal emery aid is set at 70% of 50 times the current unskilled wage worker.

The amount of the special seasonal allowance for the professions of foresters – resin collectors, tobacconists, potters – ceramics – bricklayers and employees of the shipbuilding zone is set at 70% of 35 times the current unskilled wage.

The amount of the special seasonal aid for the professions of musicians – singers, actors, shoemakers, operators-assistant cinematographers, theater – cinematographers, cinematographers – theater, cinema & television technicians, theater class – operators of excavating excavators, road construction machinery, etc. and employees of the tourism and food industry is set at 70% of 25 times the current salary

* Non-employee benefits

Unemployment Allowance for Self-employed and Independent Employees – Insured of e EFKA, t. OAEE, t.

Unemployment Benefit for Independently Employed and Independently Employees – Insured by e EFKA, t.

* Other benefits that depend on the salary of the unskilled worker

– Special maternity benefit: the monthly amount of the special maternity benefit paid is equal to the minimum wage, as determined each time based on the EGSSE.

-Supplementary Maternity Benefit: the benefit is indirectly linked to the minimum wage, as it is the difference between regular salary and the maternity allowance of e EFKA.

– Parental leave allowance: the monthly paid parental leave allowance is equal to the statutory minimum wage, as defined each time.

Unpaid remuneration due to the insolvency of the employer: up to 3 salaries are paid, as determined by the relevant collective agreements.

– Availability: paid 10% – 30% of the average regular salary of the last two months under full-time status.

* Compensation of students of vocational schools (EPAS) apprenticeship

The current provisions provide for the compensation of students for each day of Apprenticeship / Internship – total duration of 2 school years – equal to 75% of the minimum wage of the unskilled worker. At the same time, insurance is provided, for which the charges of employers and students for each day of Internship are calculated at half (1/2) of the actual salary.

* EKEK Disabled Allowance for Thessaloniki

The educational allowance in KEPE is affected by the basic salary of the unskilled worker (40%) based on the Rules of Operation of EKEK.

* Payment of salaries to pupils-students who are absent from work for their participation in the written examinations of the school they attend

The amount paid for undergraduate students is equal to 30 times the legal minimum wage of the unskilled worker, and for postgraduate students equal to 10 times that.

* Professional experience programs (preparatory)

Beneficiaries are paid compensation equal to the minimum wage.

* Work experience programs

The reason for work experience programs with compensation equal to the minimum wage.

* Grant program for private companies for internships of ATEI-ASPAITE students

The business subsidy is equal to 50% of the 80% of the legal minimum wage of the unskilled worker.

* Public benefit programs

An amount equal to the net wages corresponding to the minimum statutory gross remuneration of the unskilled worker is paid, while the non-wage costs are also covered.

* New job programs

They are indirectly linked to the minimum wage, as the grant ranges from 50% to 90% of wage and non-wage costs.

The budgetary cost

Regarding the budget costs, according to the report with which OAED participated in the consultation process for the new minimum wage, for each increase of the minimum wage by 1 percentage point, the cost for all the above allowances – programs will increase by 14, EUR 7 million. Therefore, the forthcoming increase of the minimum wage by 7.5%, the related expenses will increase by 110.25 million euros.