Dear Members of our Association,

INCENTIVE SCHEME FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES

We are very pleased to inform you that the above scheme was launched yesterday by the Ministry of Labour. The scheme aims to encourage employers to hire persons with chronic diseases and to combat the reluctance often shown towards employing individuals living with chronic health conditions. CYCCA made a significant contribution to the development of this scheme, which will operate under the umbrella of the Pancyprian Federation of Patients' Associations and Friends (POSPF).

Some key features of the Scheme are outlined below.

Eligible Beneficiaries:

• The Scheme covers ONLY unemployed persons with chronic diseases who are interested in full-time or part-time employment. In addition, the person covered by the Scheme (the employment candidate) must have been registered as unemployed with a District or Local Labour Office (Public Employment Service – PES) before the date of employment.

• Applicants must be members of an association that is a registered member of the Pancyprian Federation of Patients' Associations and Friends (POSPF), or of a patient organisation that is eligible for membership according to the Federation’s criteria. The following documents must be submitted:
  • (a) A medical certificate from a doctor confirming the applicant’s condition,
  • (b) A certificate from the association of which the applicant is a member, and
  • (c) A certificate from the Federation confirming that the association is a member.

  Please note that CYCCA is a member of the Federation.

An employee who joins the Scheme must be employed on a full-time or part-time basis for a period of twelve (12) months. In the event that employment is terminated before the completion of the period covered by the Public Funding Agreement due to voluntary resignation, retirement due to age, or lawful dismissal for disciplinary reasons, the employer will receive a proportionately reduced grant.

The following cannot participate in the Scheme:

• (a) Shareholders of the company/organisation (excluding public companies),
• (b) Self-employed persons seeking a grant for themselves,
• (c) Individuals related to the employer by first- or second-degree blood or marital relationship. This means that spouses, children, parents, and siblings cannot participate in the Scheme under an employer-employee relationship (excluding public companies).

For the purposes of the above exclusions, the employer is considered to be the shareholder/owner of the business.

Form and Maximum Amount of Grant:

The grant provided to employers who hire unemployed individuals belonging to the target group defined in the Scheme will amount to 75% of the employee’s salary cost, up to a maximum of €10,000.

We believe this is an excellent opportunity for members of our Association who are seeking employment, and we encourage those who may benefit from the Scheme to take advantage of it without delay.

Patients who wish to apply for employment under the Scheme but are not yet members of our Association must first become members by completing the membership application form available on our website (click here for the new member registration form). This is a requirement of the Scheme and applies to all participating associations in order to ensure proper administration and prevent any misuse or abuse of the Scheme.

If you already have a potential employer in mind, you may direct them to review the Scheme through the website provided below and submit an application.

Full details of the Scheme are available on the Ministry of Labour website: click here to view the Scheme.

Please study all aspects of the Scheme carefully. POSPF will soon prepare and distribute a simplified application guide to assist patients.

We remain at your disposal for any information or assistance you may require.

Best of luck.