ATHENS — More than 6,000 new job positions were created in the private sector in October through the improved employment programmes of the Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED), an increase of 293 pct compared with the same month last year.

OAED, in an announcement on Tuesday, said that despite the significant impact of the pandemic on the labour market, the absorption of labour subsidy programmes was unprecedented, rising 28 pct compared with the previous record of 4,700 hirings in September. Demand by enterprises for these new job positions is steadily increasing and applications have exceeded 39,000 so far. The Organisation is implementing seven open programmes for a total of 38,600 new job positions with a subsidy rate of 60-100 pct, including social contributions. OAED has simplified participation criteria, accelerated procedures for inclusion, hiring and payment and noted there were no commitments for enterprises after the end of the subsidy period.