Unemployed New Jerseyans who return to work could get a $500 bonus in their first paycheck under a state program unveiled Monday.

The “Return and Earn” program aims to curb labor shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“This program will help both businesses and their workers, and is yet another step that we have taken to boost our economy,” Murphy said in a statement.

Workers hired through the incentive program would receive an extra $500 for returning to work.

Businesses with 100 or fewer employees would also be eligible for up to $10,000 in wage subsidies to hire and train new workers. The position they fill would need to pay at least $15 an hour.

Small businesses have been hit with a shortage of workers amid the pandemic, with critics laying the blame on enhanced COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

As of last month, New Jersey’s employment rate was 7.2 percent, down from 7.8 percent at the start of the year.