Press Releases

The Special Sick Leave Allowance applies until 12/4/2020 for private sector employees or self-employed persons who fall into any of the following categories:

i. persons who are on the list of vulnerable groups as designated by the Ministry of Health in the press release dated 16/3/2020 or any future revision thereof, and hold a certificate from their personal doctor (only in cases where the nature of their work does not permit teleworking or working from home or flexible working hours),

ii. persons subject to compulsory isolation (quarantine) and self-isolation (only in cases where the nature of their work does not permit teleworking or working from home or flexible working hours) under the instructions of the Ministry of Health and holding a Medical Certificate issued by the Ministry of Health, or as directed by the Ministry of Health by a personal doctor,

iii. persons infected with COVID 19 and holding a certificate from the Ministry of Health,

iv. persons aged 63-65 years who do not receive a statutory pension, fall under categories (i), (ii) or (iii) above and hold the corresponding certificate.

The Special Sick Leave Allowance is granted only to persons who work for the period for which they are applying for Special Sick Leave Allowance and are insured with the Social Insurance Fund, are up to 65 years of age and do not receive statutory pension.

How the Special Sick Leave Allowance is calculated, provided that all the terms and conditions are met:

• For employees and self-employed persons who qualify under the Social Insurance Law, at 60% of the value of the insurance units, in accordance with the above legislation.
• For employees who are not eligible under the Social Insurance Law and are insured with the Social Security Fund in January 2020 will be paid a Special Sick Leave Allowance, the amount of which will be determined by a subsequent decision.
• For self-employed persons who are not eligible under the Social Insurance Law, It will amount to 60% of the weekly amount of their insurable earnings, based on the income for which they were required to pay contributions to the Social Security Fund in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• The maximum amount that may be paid as a Special Sick Leave Allowance for a period of one month may not exceed € 1,214.
• The Special Sick Leave Allowance is not paid for any period during which the employee receives unemployment benefit, Special unemployment benefit, Special Sick Leave Allowance, Sick Leave Allowance, Special Leave of Absence Allowance or other similar benefits from the Social Security Fund.
• The period for which the Special Sick Leave Allowance is paid shall be taken into account for the calculation and payment of the Sick Leave Allowance provided for in the provisions of the Social Insurance Law.
• For the period concerning which the Special Sick Leave Allowance is paid, the employer shall be relieved of his obligation to pay the salary of his employees who received the Special Sick Leave Allowance.
• The period of payment of the Special Sick Leave Allowance shall be considered as a special period for purposes of contributions to the Social Security Fund and shall be credited accordingly to the beneficiary's insurance account.

 (EH/MP/II)