Companies operating in Sicily can benefit from economic incentives for hiring unemployed workers or for staff stabilization, with applications open until October 10, 2024. These incentives, which can reach 30,000 euros per company, are available for permanent hires made starting from January 1
, 2024.
What Are Recruitment Incentives in Sicily?
Incentives for Sicilian companies are economic contributions that aim to promote stable employment in the Sicily Region through permanent contracts. Each company can obtain up to 30,000 euros in three annual tranches of 10,000 euros each. The measure was promoted by the Regional Labor Department as part of the FSE Plus Program 2021-2027, with a total financial budget of 40 million euros
.
Who Is Eligible for Incentives?
The incentives are intended for companies active in Sicily that have hired or that intend to hire permanent staff in 2024. These companies must belong to the following economic sectors (identified by ATECO codes
):
•Manufacture of machinery for agriculture, the food industry and other productions (e.g. code 28.39, 28.93)
•Energy, Gas, Water and Waste Management (Codes 35-39)
•Maritime transport, telecommunications, software production (Codes 50, 61-63)
•Hotels and accommodation facilities, with the exception of guest houses (Code 55)
•Business management, scientific research and social and health care (Codes 70, 72, 86-88)
Companies active in the lottery, betting and agriculture sectors are excluded.
Requirements for Businesses
To access incentives, businesses must meet the following requirements:
• Headquarters in Sicily and registration in the register of companies with active status.
•Tax and contribution regularity (DURC in good standing) and compliance with regulations on safety at work.
•Not having made unjustified dismissals in the previous six months.
•Do not be in liquidation or bankruptcy and have not received revocations of public benefits in the last three years.
Requirements for Workers
The workers for whom the incentive is requested must be hired indefinitely starting from January 1, 2024. The stabilization of fixed-term contracts and the recruitment of trainees are also admissible. Apprenticeship contracts are not allowed. Workers must also:
•Be resident or domiciled in Sicily for at least 6 months.
•Be between 18 and 65 years old and, in case of new hires, be unemployed.
How Incentives Work
The incentives are provided in three tranches of 10,000 euros each for a maximum of 30,000 euros per company. The amount is proportional to the number of workers hired and the type of contract (full time or part time). However, incentives will not be recognized for part-time contracts of less than 50% of
full-time employment.
How and When to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by October 10, 2024 through the dedicated platform of the Sicily Region. Companies will need to authenticate themselves with SPID to complete the application process.
Applications will be reviewed in chronological order until available funds are exhausted. Sicilia Digitale, which manages the measure, will be responsible for the validation and assignment of incentives by
October 25, 2024.
Assistance and Contacts
Companies that need assistance in filling out the application can contact the dedicated service at the email address servizio2diplav@regione.sicilia.it.