Greece: employment support measures extended

In mid-March, at the beginning of lockdown in Greece, which led to the majority of companies in the country closing, the government decided to grant an allowance of €800, paid from April onwards, to all workers whose contracts were not renewed or who were placed on partial unemployment. The Greek state also committed to providing such workers with social security cover for sickness and retirement and to pay their social security contributions (see article n°11734). Given the impact of the lockdown, the Greek government has extended some of these measures, particularly for the tourism, culture and sports sectors, which are still being heavily affected by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Greece’s economy ministry also unveiled an ‘employment support mechanism’ for the period from 1 June to 30 September.