When the Adeje council set about planning the assistance and work recovery projects they would offer to offset the effects of the pandemic, the mayor Jose Miguel Rodríguez Fraga stressed the policy of the council was “to work to see that the way to help a resident in need was to find her/him a job, offer training etc, as a way of offering social assistance”.
That’s part of the philosophy underling the new programme of help and grants for small and medium enterprises, businesses with less than 5 employees, or the self-employed who both have employees or work alone. The maximum amount for each business will be €900. There is also a programme for assistance directly for taxi drivers in line with an agreement reached with their cooperative. In Adeje almost 80% of the companies fall into the above category, with less than 5 employees, and were also the sector most affected by the pandemic. They represented 73% of businesses whose employees have been in receipt of ERTE.
“This pandemic has led to a potential destruction of jobs in many businesses and companies who have suffered directly as a result of this crisis, who have had to cease trading, or reduce it significantly”, explained Manuel Luis Méndez, councillor for economic development, who was outlining the application requirements alongside councillor Raquel Rodríguez.
Each business (with less than 5 employees) or self-employed person affected can apply for the assistance to help in avoiding closure of the business or loss of jobs. The council will grant at least €400 to any company that meets the requirements, with additional top-ups available depending on the company or individual’s circumstances. And while the council are currently investing nine hundred thousand euros in the scheme they will find alternative funding if needed to continue. This money is also additional to any help received from the Tenerife Cabildo or the regional government.
“These are difficult times and our goal is to reach those suffering most from this crisis – workers, small businesses, and the self-employed. This programme is in parallel to other help currently on offer, from social assistance to educational programmes and care for the older or more fragile members of our society”, said the mayor.
Those companies who wish to apply must be based and registered in Adeje, with 5 employees or fewer, or have their business open at the time of the application for grant aid – these are just some of the requirements. More information will be published in the ‘Boletin Oficial de la provincial de Santa Cruz de Tenerife’ and the Adeje social network sites and the Impulsa page soon. Companies and individuals will have up to 20 days after the publication of the ‘Boletin’ to apply.
The council have allocated a further one million euros for policies to activate employment with the aim of creating 400 jobs in the next 11 months, and they are already hiring training personnel to work on creating jobs that meet the new needs that have evolved as a result of this pandemic.
Adeje are also currently employing professionals to give ‘catch-up’ classes to children from families with few resources, and in the social services department with additional home help personnel for older people or those who are housebound.
