27.11.2020

The acceptance of documents under the new measure "Save me" has started

In connection with the adopted decree of the Council of Ministers № 325 of 26.11.2020, of 30.11.2020 (Monday) the Employment Agency started accepting applications for the project "Save me", funded by the Operational Program "Human Resources Development" 2014-2020 and the REACT-EU financial mechanism. The purpose of the operation is to provide, as a matter of priority, support for maintaining the employment of employees in enterprises that have directly ceased economic activity as a result of anti-epidemic measures imposed against the spread of COVID-19.

The grant amounts to BGN 50 million. This measure will provide support by paying BGN 24 per day for the period of unpaid leave to each person insured full-time or in proportion to the agreed working hours in the employment contract.

The persons may receive compensations for the period of using unpaid leave by the order of art. 160, para. 1 or art. 173a, para. 2 of the LC after 29.10.2020, but for not more than 60 days. The compensations are due from the date of issuance of the order for unpaid leave, but not earlier than 29.10.2020 and not later than 21.12.2020.

If a parent receives a monthly targeted assistance under the Council of Ministers № 218 dated 17.08.2020 to the Social Assistance Agency, he is not entitled to compensation under the project "Save me" at the Employment Agency.

The application and the annexes to the project are submitted to the “Labor Office” directorates by the employers, whose employees wish to receive compensations under the project “Save me”, in the following ways:

• electronically, by the order of the Electronic Document and Electronic Certification Services Act or with a personal identification code through the System for secure electronic service, signed with a qualified electronic signature /QES/;
• by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt through a licensed postal operator;
• on paper in compliance with the restrictions and requirements for work, in accordance with current measures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Detailed information about the conditions of the Project can be found on the official website of the Employment Agency - here, as well as on the information boards in the labor offices in the country.

Workers in which sectors will be supported?

Under this measure, employees in bars, taverns, wineries, pubs, cafes, language centers, educational centers and other training centers and schools will be able to receive support, Nova TV reports. Employees of companies for organizing congress-conference events, seminars, competitions, trainings, team building, exhibitions and other public events in attendance will also be entitled to compensation.

Eligible for support are those employed in retail outlets in the event that the retail outlet is located on the territory of a shopping center type Mall, with the exception of grocery stores, drugstores, opticians and pet stores.

Compensation will also be available to staff of kindergartens and nurseries, cinemas, discos, piano and nightclubs, and other similar nightclubs for indoor entertainment.

The right to such support will also have those employed in economic activities related to concerts, creation and presentation of live performances such as operas, operettas, circuses and other stage works, museum workers, as well as directors, producers, set designers, costume designers and lighting, technical specialists.

Employees in sectors related to all collective and individual sports events of a training and competitive nature, as well as those working in solariums, saunas, weight loss and massage salons, will also be able to apply for compensation.