The President of the Government announced today the placement of nearly 2,500 unemployed Azoreans in the "Recuperar" (Recovery) Programme until the end of the month. With this initiative, participants will receive an allowance for the work they will provide for the benefit of the Azores.
"I can say that those who were admitted to the 'Recuperar' programme in the month of February will be notified in order to begin their participation in the programme," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the presentation of the new edition of this initiative, which was created by the Vice-Presidency of the Government, Employment and Business Competitiveness.
The session took place in Ponta Delgada and was also attended by Sérgio Ávila. On the occasion, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the "Recuperar" programme is targeted at unemployed Azoreans without any source of income and who are not eligible for unemployment benefits due to the application of national rules. The programme falls under the strategy defined by the Azorean Government to "leave no one behind."
With the initiatives developed by the Government with the aim of promoting employability, such as the "Estagiar" programmes, the incentives for the hiring of trainees, PROSA and INTEGRA, the Region was able to achieve positive results in the face of "the difficult and arduous challenge of job creation in the Azores."
In his speech, the President of the Government also mentioned that the "Recuperar" programme is even more comprehensive, as it was extended to youngsters enrolled in the "Garantia Açores Jovem" (Azores Youth Guarantee) programme.
"It was also improved with the aim of speeding up procedures, including the stipulation of a 60-day deadline for the placement of participants and the full start of the programme," announced the President of the Government.
Moreover, the "Recuperar" programme is even more demanding since participants are required to sign an occupation agreement that identifies the activities to be carried out, the workplace, the schedule and the amount of the financial compensation.
"This initiative was developed for the benefit the Azorean unemployed participating in the programme but also for the benefit of the Region as a whole insofar as participants will work in areas of collective interest," assured the President of the Government. In this regard, he pointed out, as examples, the conservation and maintenance of environmental and natural spaces as well as the intervention in cultural, sports and urban areas.
"This is the Regional Government's response to the Azorean families who were in a vulnerable situation in terms of income," stated Vasco Cordeiro. With this programme, they will have an occupation, working for the benefit of the Azores, and will receive a financial compensation."
Thus, the "Recuperar" programme is not just intended to promote employability; it is a social cohesion programme created by the Regional Government within the commitment to go as far as the reach of its powers and resources.
"The overall operation of the "Recuperar" programme in 2014 and 2015 already represents an investment of 40 million Euros; however, we believe this is well spent money since it is invested to benefit the Azores as well as to provide an occupation and livelihood to unemployed Azoreans and their families," said the President of the Government.
Moreover, Vasco Cordeiro made a point to recognise the willingness and commitment demonstrated by several institutions towards this initiative, such as municipal authorities and village councils.
"This program is not a blessing. In fact, it is an agreement in which participants will have the opportunity to work for the benefit of the Region and the Government helps them to create the conditions to support their livelihood. We are building a better Azores based on this relation," stressed the President of the Government.