400 new jobs to be created in Gozo through Employment Aid Programme

Over €2M are being invested in the Employment Aid Programme in Gozo, with hundreds of employees and a substantial number of businesses taking up this initiative.

The government deems this programme as an important step in increasing employment for Gozitans in Gozo.

The programme also focuses on helping persons with disability finding employment through larger subsidies for their prospective employers.

Through the EAP, employers will receive 50% of the basic wage plus half the cost of the employer’s National Insurance contribution, for a maximum of 52 weeks, with employers of persons with disability receiving 75% of the basic wage cost.  Most grants will commence on the 2nd January 2014.

In a press conference, Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo stated that with hard work, the government is showing that employment for Gozitans in Gozo is not just a slogan.

Minister Refalo remarked that the successful effect of this scheme on the Gozitan economy will result in more than 400 people being employed in Gozo.

“For Gozo this is a huge accomplishment. Infact, if this number had to be taken in proportion to Malta this would mean the creation of 5000 new jobs in Malta”, the Minister said.

He noted that the Employment Aid Programme scheme received more than 400 applications from prospective employees. It is estimated that over 170 different employers are going to benefit from this scheme.

Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds Ian Borg said that in the past eight months, the EU funds committed for Gozo have increased by a further €16 million.

“This Government has now fulfilled the commitment previously made by the former government, to allocate 10% from the structural funds to Gozo,” Borg said.