Bodó said close to 20,000 applications had been submitted for the subsidies in the first week. More than 15,000 were from local councils, he added.

Under the scheme, local councils are eligible for subsidies covering 100% of payroll costs for students, although work hours are limited to six a day. Students can earn a gross monthly HUF 164,250 for skilled jobs and HUF 125,550 for unskilled work.

Businesses in the farm, tourism, and catering sectors are eligible for subsidies covering 75% of payroll for students who can work up to eight hours a day.

The subsidies are available for a maximum of two months from July 1.

The summer jobs scheme has supported the placement of 210,000 students in temporary positions with subsidies of over HUF 20 bln since its launch in 2013.