The Regional Government, through the Vice-Presidency, has created a new measure, designated as Special Placement of Workers (CET), with a view to reinforcing the response capacity of regional public and social solidarity institutions in the areas of health and social support. 

This measure is aimed at the temporary replacement of workers who are unable to perform their duties due to being in prophylactic isolation, illness or caring for children at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Created as part of a wide range of measures already approved and implemented by the Regional Government for immediate support to the economy, employment maintenance and income, the CET measure finances the placement of unemployed Azoreans in the areas of health and social support, replacing workers who are unable to perform their duties. In turn, applying institutions and entities are only required to pay the meal allowance and insurance.
 
The Special Placement of Workers is directed to the unemployed, regardless of receiving unemployment benefits, Social Integration Income beneficiaries and young people covered by PIIE - Professional Integration Programme of Trainees or the Azores Youth Guarantee. 

According to the Council of the Government's Resolution no.116/2020, published today in the Official Journal, the unemployed on benefits that enter the labour market under the CET measure will receive supplementary support, in addition to the unemployment benefits, amounting to 50% of the Regional Minimum Wage. 

As for the young people covered by PIIE - Professional Integration Programme of Trainees or the Azores Youth Guarantee as well as the unemployed registered at the Employment Agencies that are not receiving benefits, the stipulated monthly pay is set at 883 Euros.

Public and private non-profit entities must submit their projects at the address https://estagiar.azores.gov.pt/ from May 1 to June 15. 

This is another initiative intended to reinforce the response capacity of entities in the areas of health and social support. On the one hand, it will promote the employability of Azoreans with their entry into the labour market and, on the other hand, it is another step taken by the Government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and its social and economic consequences in the Region.