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40 clusters · 87 sources · 81 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · POLITICS · CULTURE · TECHNOLOGY

Chile employment and SME support – Late July 2026

Entities: Regional Governments of Chile · National Service for Employment (SENCE) · Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Chile · Ministry of Labor and Social Security (Chile) · Modo Empleo program

Overview

Chile’s labour market continued to deteriorate in July 2026, with official unemployment rising to 9.4 % in the March‑May quarter – the highest in five years – and hidden unemployment possibly reaching 13.2 %. Women remain disproportionately affected; about 480 000 women are job‑seekers and only 48 % of working‑age women are employed, an 18‑point gender gap. The Commission of Women and Gender Equity reiterated calls for 5 000 hiring subsidies, reserved positions for women and a universal crèche policy as part of the 50 000‑job target set earlier in the year. The Inter‑ministerial Employment Table, led by Vice‑Minister Daniel Mas, is drafting a short‑term pro‑employment package that will prioritize forestry, mining and expanded public‑works programmes. The government’s “Modo Empleo” framework, announced in early July, provides a 25 billion‑peso wage‑subsidy pool, a 20 billion‑peso public‑works hiring pool and additional support for Sercotec, aiming to create 50 000 formal jobs by October. Labor Minister Tomás Rau and SENCE officials continued to promote the hiring‑subsidy scheme in the catastrophe‑stricken Coquimbo region and in Magallanes, confirming 399 subsidy slots for seasonal workers and urging faster communication of benefits. The subsidy offers firms a direct monthly bonus of up to 50 % of a worker’s minimum wage (60 % for women) for up to four months, targeting employees earning less than three times the minimum wage. On 31 July the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare formally launched the new hiring‑subsidy programme, allowing each company to receive up to 200 subsidies and running until December 2026. Regional governments pledged an additional 210 billion CLP to the “Modo Empleo” plan, targeting roughly 30 000 new jobs. The private sector’s Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio (CPC) announced a “cruzada por el empleo” initiative, while the FOSIS fund will add 4 000 positions.

Timeline

  1. about 4 hours ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile launches employment subsidy to fund new hires

    Chile's Ministry of Labor offers a subsidy covering up to 50% of a minimum wage for new hires (60% for women) for up to four months, while regional governments add 210 bn CLP to the Modo Empleo plan to create ~

  2. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Chile's Labor Ministry promotes hiring subsidy in Coquimbo and Magallanes regions

    Chile's labor ministry and SENCE promote a hiring subsidy in Coquimbo and Magallanes, offering firms up to 50%–60% wage bonuses to boost employment in catastrophe‑hit and winter‑hardship areas.

  3. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile opens applications for new hiring subsidy to boost formal employment

    Chile launches a hiring subsidy offering up to 50%–60% monthly bonuses to employers for up to 25,000 new formal jobs, with a 24.5 bn peso budget and applications now open until Dec 2026.

  4. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Corfo launches digital transformation contest for 600 Tarapacá SMEs

    Corfo opened a contest until Aug 27 to fund digital transformation for up to 600 SMEs in Tarapacá, offering up to 80 % of costs (max 550 m CLP) for AI, IoT, efficiency and other tech services across key sectors

  5. 14 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Chile's labor market under strain as unemployment climbs and govt unveils job stimulus

    Chile’s unemployment hits 9.4% with hidden rates over 13%; women face an 18‑point job gap. Govt plans 50,000 new jobs, subsidies and crèche support. Spain’s public job service places just 1.7% of contracts, but

  6. 17 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Coahuila and Magallanes advance incentives for hiring people with disabilities

    Coahuila offers payroll‑tax breaks for hiring disabled or senior workers, while Chile’s Fundación TACAL calls for more training and jobs for disabled youth in Magallanes.

  7. 20 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Chile's O’Higgins and Magallanes Regions Launch Employment Tables to Cut Unemployment

    Chile's O’Higgins and Magallanes regions have set up inter‑agency employment tables to speed public investment and hiring subsidies, aiming to create hundreds of jobs and lower regional unemployment.

  8. 21 days ago

    [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Chile's President Kast launches $50 bn 'Modo Empleo' plan to create 50,000 jobs

    Chile's President Kast unveiled a $50 bn “Modo Empleo” plan to fund subsidies, regional projects and Sercotec programs, aiming to create 50,000 jobs by October, with an initial focus on Biobío, Ñuble and Antofg

  9. 21 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Chile to ease hiring of Bolivian seasonal farm workers

    Chile will amend Decree 177 to simplify hiring of Bolivian seasonal farm workers, allowing ID‑card applications, digital contracts and extending stays to ten months.

  10. 23 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Caja 18 launches $4 billion senior entrepreneurship credit scheme in Curicó

    Caja 18’s Emprende Mayor program will grant over 4 bn pesos in credit, training and low‑rate loans to senior entrepreneurs in Curicó, backed by the IFC to spur Chile’s silver economy.

  11. 23 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Chile's CChC Maule and Sopraval launch business development training programs

    Chile's CChC Maule and Sopraval rolled out training programs—one on sustainable business strategy, the other on entrepreneurship and financing—to boost local companies.

  12. 23 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Maule Region's Junta de Adelanto partners with officials to advance public‑private projects

    Maule's Junta de Adelanto met with regional delegate Juan Eduardo Prieto and Public Works secretary Yasna Cancino to coordinate health, infrastructure and tourism projects, reinforcing public‑private ties.

  13. 23 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Arica Region Launches Regional Employment Table to Boost Jobs

    Arica's new Regional Employment Table, part of the 2026‑2035 PEDZE plan, aims to coordinate investment and create formal jobs across key sectors, addressing high local unemployment.

  14. 24 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Chile's Ñuble Region aims to unlock stalled investments and boost productivity

    Chile's Ñuble Region held a summit to address high unemployment and a US$3.5 bn portfolio of dormant projects, while a German‑Chile chamber proposal urges dual training and SME‑large firm links to boost product

  15. 25 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile advances SME support with new Pro‑Pyme law proposal and reconstruction legislation

    Chile’s economy subsecretary unveiled a Pro Pyme law draft, tax deferrals and streamlined business rules to boost SMEs and support the National Reconstruction Bill.

  16. 25 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Chile's O'Higgins and Ñuble Regions Roll Out New Cultural Network and Job‑Creating Projects

    Chile’s O'Higgins region launched a cultural coordination network, while Ñuble announced 85 investment projects to create 2,000 jobs, reflecting regional government efforts to boost culture and the economy.

  17. 26 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Latin American entrepreneurship training programs certify dozens of early‑stage ventures

    Pre‑incubation programs in Chile and Colombia certified dozens of early‑stage entrepreneurs, providing training in innovation, technology and market strategies.

  18. 27 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Juan Eduardo Prieto launches regional employment board in Maule

    Juan Eduardo Prieto announced the Mesa Regional Pro Empleo in Maule to create 3,000 jobs in four months, targeting agriculture, forestry, construction and vulnerable groups amid a 10% unemployment rate.

  19. 27 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Chile launches 2026 tourism awards and enotourism seal programs

    Chile’s Sernatur opened the 2026 “Más Valor Turístico” contest and Corfo awarded the 2026 “Fiestas de la Vendimia” seal to 16 enotourism events, advancing tourism quality, sustainability and regional economic ​

  20. 27 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Chile government launches 5,000 job subsidies to curb rising unemployment

    Chile's President Kast unveiled 5,000 hiring subsidies covering half a minimum wage for four months, targeting women and youth as unemployment climbs to 9.4 % – the highest since 2021.

  21. 28 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Chile hosts tourism seminars focused on sustainability and regional development

    Chile hosted two tourism seminars: a 7th Enoturismo technical event in Viña Cucha Cucha with industry speakers and a collaborative agreement, and a third Tourism Planning Seminar in Osorno organized by INACAP,

  22. 29 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Morelos government and Chile's Sercotec roll out new funding programmes for SMEs and women entrepreneurs

    Morelos and Chile introduce new financing programmes – Morelos for SMEs and Chile's Sercotec offering subsidies to women‑led startups – to boost entrepreneurship and jobs.

  23. 29 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Prefiero el Maule and CPE Offer Free Entrepreneurship Workshops

    Free accounting workshop by Prefiero el Maule in Chile on July 13 and CPE’s “Emprendimientos y Finanzas II” training runs July 17‑Sept 18, both offering practical finance skills for entrepreneurs.

  24. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Chile's Energy Ministry launches Human Capital Office to support renewable transition

    Chile's Energy Minister unveiled a Human Capital Office aiming to train 1,000 workers—half women—amid a projected need for up to 27,000 new energy staff by 2030.

  25. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile offers up to $9 million subsidies for sustainable small businesses

    Chile launches two SME support initiatives: Sercotec offers up to 9 million pesos for sustainable upgrades to 370 small firms, aiming to create 50,000 jobs; and Corfo’s Red Proveedores program conducts a 2024‑e

  26. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile's SMEs confront challenges as Seguros SURA provides insurance and training

    Chile's 759,320 SMEs, accounting for 64% of formal jobs, face asset and employee risks; Seguros SURA offers health and asset insurance, free training via “Prefiero el Maule”, and support through Propyme.

  27. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Banco Santander funds free 12‑week online entrepreneurship program for Argentine university students

    Banco Santander backs a free 12‑week online entrepreneurship course for Universidad Abierta Interamericana students, open to individuals and teams until 20 Aug.

  28. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Spain's La Rioja and Chile launch new support measures for cooperatives

    La Rioja (Spain) announced grant funding for cooperatives, while Chile formed a public‑private committee to back agricultural cooperatives.

  29. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Chile Government Launches Interministerial Employment Initiative Aiming 50,000 Jobs

    Chile’s government set up an interministerial table to create 50,000 jobs in four months, targeting women and youth, while Renca’s municipality partnered with the CPC and Labor Ministry on a local alliance to t

  30. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Entrepreneurship training and funding events launch in Argentina, Chile, Honduras and Mexico

    Four Latin‑American initiatives—an online diploma in Argentina, seed‑fund awards in Honduras, a business salon in Chile and an SME expo in Mexico—aim to boost entrepreneurship through training, financing and e‑

  31. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Chile launches $2.5 billion fund to modernize free market fairs

    Chile’s SERCOTEC Tarapacá unveiled a $2.5 billion programme to upgrade 113 free market fairs, offering up to $30 million per fair for infrastructure, digital tools and training. Applications close 15 July.

  32. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Valle de Aconcagua launches first tourism academy to train over 50 entrepreneurs

    Chile's Valle de Aconcagua launches its first Tourism Academy, training 50+ entrepreneurs in seven modules on market niches, risk management, and governance, backed by Sercotec, San Felipe municipality and the

  33. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Google offers 10,000 AI scholarships while Colombia rolls out free AI courses

    Google releases 10,000 AI scholarships for Argentina and Chile (later Colombia) and Colombia's MinTIC launches free AI courses for up to 15,000 learners.

  34. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    New Entrepreneurship Programs Kick Off in Chile and Spain

    Chile's ULG launches a 30‑seat online entrepreneurship course, while Spain's Cecobi holds a free CB113 Emprende workshop in Bilbao focusing on learning from startup failures.

  35. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Entrepreneurship training launches in Argentina and Chile

    Free sales‑strategy training takes place in Argentina, while 40 Chilean heads of household finish a banquetería course to launch their own businesses.

  36. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile's Sercotec launches Crece Mujer fund to boost women‑led SMEs

    Sercotec opened the Crece Mujer fund, offering up to 5 million‑peso non‑repayable subsidies to women‑led Chilean SMEs, with applications until 11 June and a target of 54 beneficiaries.

  37. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile launches free entrepreneurship course with $1 million prizes

    Chile's ABIF and University of Chile start a free online entrepreneurship course, offering a contest where ten winners receive $1 million each to grow their businesses.

  38. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Chile launches $189 M public job training and Google AI scholarship programs

    Chile’s SENCE program spent $189 M to train 142 workers in Los Lagos, while Google offered 15,000 free AI and career‑certificate scholarships and $450 k for school AI projects.

  39. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile launches advisory council and $5 bn fund to revitalize cooperatives

    Chile’s Ministry of Economy set up an advisory council with work groups to boost cooperatives, while Sercotec launched the Crece fund offering up to $5 million in subsidies to 824 micro‑enterprises and cooperas

  40. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Chile launches innovation funding for entrepreneurs and students

    Chile rolls out regional CORFO grants and a national student innovation challenge, offering millions of pesos and up to $15,000 in funding.

Sources

10minutos.com.uy · actualidadriojabaja.com · agenciasanluis.com · agenfor.com.ar · ahoradigital.net · aldiamaule.cauquenesnet.cl · alexion.com · am.com.mx · amnoticias.cl · anda.cl · arauco.cl · aricaldia.cl · atentos.cl · chillanonline.cl · concierto.cl · consejominero.cl · conurbados.com · cordoba.gob.ar · deia.eus · diarioconcepcion.cl · diarioelheraldo.cl · diarioelnortino.cl · diarioelranco.cl · diarioestrategia.cl · diariolaquinta.cl · dodomusic.ch · economia.gob.cl · edicioncero.cl · elcolonodeloeste.com.ar · elindependiente.com · elinformadorchile.cl · elinsular.cl · ellibertador.hn · elmauleinforma.cl · elpinguino.com · elproa.cl · elrancaguino.cl · elreferente.cl · elreporterodeiquique.com · enlalinea.cl · enlineamaule.cl · entreprenerd.cl · expreso.ec · extra.com.co · extranoticias.cl · fedefruta.cl · finde.latercera.com · fmbox.cl

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history