Serbia: “My First Salary“ program

published on 10 September 2020 | reading time approx 1,5 minutes

The Serbian Government launched “My First Salary” program, intended for those who have finished high school or faculties, have no work experience, and are looking for their first job.

  
  
The National Employment Service has issued a public call for the implementation of youth employment promotion Program “My First Salary” and employers are invited to submit a request to participate in the program in the period from 17 August 2020 until 25 September 2020, while candidates can apply from 1 October 2020 until 15 October 2020. From 1 November 2020 employers and candidates will be connected and the program starts when contracts are concluded between the companies, the National Employment Service and the candidates.
 
This program creates additional opportunities for training, gaining first work experience and increasing opportunities for more competitive entry of young people in the labor market and their employment. The state will cover a part of the costs of their salary, the rest of the money for the salaries of these young people is provided by the employers themselves.
 

The program will be implemented with employers in private or public sector, but priority for inclusion in the program is given to employers from the private sector and especially employers from devastated municipalities. The given priority is in accordance with the regulation of the Government of Serbia on the level of development of local self-government units.
 
During the program, the National Employment Service will pay a monthly cash benefit in the amount of 20,000 dinars to young people with secondary education, and 24,000 dinars to young people with higher education, also pays a contribution in the case of injuries at work and occupational diseases for people included in this program. The allocated funds are intended for the training of 10,000 young people during 2020 and 2021.
 
An employer with up to five employees has the right to include one unemployed person in the program, an employer with six to 14 employees has the right to include a maximum of two unemployed in the program, and an employer with 15 or more employees has the right to include unemployed the number may not exceed 20 per cent of the total number of employees.