Regional Government opens applications for new measure to increase support for maintenance of hired workers in companies
The Regional Government, through the Vice-Presidency, has opened the applications for the Extraordinary Labour Stabilisation Measure (MEET), an additional support created in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to help Azorean companies maintaining their jobs.
This measure, whose regulation was defined by Resolution no.128/2020, aims to increase the support for companies to so that they can ensure the maintenance of jobs and, consequently, their productive capacity. The applications are open from today and can be made electronically at the address https://portaldoemprego.azores.gov.pt.
The Extraordinary Labour Stabilisation Measure is divided into two aspects: MEET - Conversion, which aims to support and encourage companies to convert fixed-term employment contracts into employment contracts if indefinite duration, i.e., to integrate workers into the company's staff, and MEET - Renewal, which supports and encourages the renewal of employment contracts. Both components are primarily aimed at the maintenance of jobs.
The new measure consists of the creation of another support directed to companies. The amount is stipulated at 6,000 Euros per worker hired under a fixed-term contract that is integrated into the company's staff from March 16 or at 1,800 Euros per worker whose fixed-term contract is renewed by the company for another nine months after it ends.
This new support, which can be combined with all other support measures for the maintenance of jobs, intends to reinforce incentives for companies to renew contracts or integrate workers whose contracts ended this year into their staff.
For the Regional Government, MEET, aimed at companies, cooperatives and non-profit entities, is a further stimulus to the maintenance of jobs in light of the current situation. It will be a decisive contribution to support employers to guarantee their human resources, while providing workers with the possibility of more stable employment, thus promoting the competitiveness of the Region's business fabric.