The unemployment benefit for seafarers is almost doubled, reaching up to 600 euros, as the decision with the new regulation has been published in the Official Gazette. The decision comes to satisfy a long-standing demand of the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation, correcting years of injustice against the people of the sea.
According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, “the aim is to provide substantial support to seafarers who are not on the shipping register and to recognize their contribution to the strength of Greek shipping.”
In a statement, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vassilis Kikilias said: “The unemployment benefit until today for unemployed seafarers was 350 euros. Until today, the unemployment insurance for seafarers was 350 euros. This is much less than the rest of the unemployed in the country. We made it 600 euros in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, satisfying a long-standing request of the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation. We support the maritime professions, we support the people of the sea and we fight for them.”
Specifically, and in accordance with the new regulation, the monthly unemployment benefit granted to seafarers amounts to six hundred euros for married or divorced persons with children in their custody and to five hundred and five hundred and five hundred and 500 euros for unmarried or divorced persons without children.
