Something for the weekend: Many organisations opt to send employees on expatriate assignments, with staff and their families relocating across the globe for business benefits. Candela, a small Italian town near Puglia, is using a similar principle to encourage employees to join its workforce, by paying up to €2,000 (£1776.55) for people to become residents.
The picturesque Italian town has committed to paying €800 (£710.62) to individuals who move to Candela, €1,200 (£1065.93) for couples who opt to relocate to the town, and between €1,500 (£1332.41) and €1,800 (£1598.89) for three-person families who make the move. Families with between four and five people could receive more than €2,000 (£1776.55) to become residents of Candela.
The scheme, which is being spearheaded by the town’s mayor, Nicola Gatta, is designed to help boost both the population and the employee workforce of the scenic town. According to a report by media organisation CNN, the town’s population has shrunk from more than 8,000 residents in the 1990s, to 2,700 residents today.
In addition to new residents receiving a welcome paycheck, they will also be able to move in to newly built white houses, complete with expansive terraces.
Individuals and families who wish to make the move to Candela, however, will have to meet certain requirements. This includes all newcomers becoming permanent residents of the town and taking up a home for rent. New residents must also have a job in the town that pays an annual salary of at least €7,500 (£6662.06).
Stefano Bascianelli, associate of the mayor, said to CNN: “We don’t want people flocking here thinking they get to live off the town hall’s revenues; all new residents must work and have an income.
Nicola Gatta, mayor of Candela, added: “I work each day with passion and commitment to bring Candela back to its ancient splendor.”
Here are Employee Benefits, we can certainly see the appeal of relocating to such a beautiful spot. We think it would be very difficult to concentrate on work when surrounded by such stunning views…