The Minister for Family and Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, during a visit to Gozo this morning, announced an incentive scheme for those individuals who have been unemployed for two years and would like to return to work.

The scheme, first announced in the Budget 2013, applies from the 1st of January 2014, entitles a person who has been receiving unemployment benefits for over two years, not to lose these benefits immediately upon starting employment.

The unemployment benefits for these individuals would be reduced gradually by lowering it as follows:

65% of the benefit for the first year.

45% of the benefit for the second year.

25% of the benefit for the third year.

The employer would be granted 25% of the unemployment benefit for every year, up to three years.

The scheme is open for both full-time and part-time jobs, but the salary cannot be less than the minimum wage.

The Minister said that the scheme can only be used once and those interested are able to apply by application from the District Offices around Malta and Gozo .

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