The rapid spread of coronavirus has forced hundreds of people into quarantine. As a result of this, there is no doubt that business operations have been affected. In light of this, the government has announced the following incentives for eligible businesses:
- €350 grant to employers for each employee on Quarantine leave.
- All workers, self-employed or otherwise, in industries, brought to a grinding halt by COVID-19 closures and bans will be guaranteed at least €1,200 every month through a state and private industry agreement.
- Other industries affected by the slowdown will also be entitled to some benefits, taking one-fifth of an €800 benefit. Self-employed persons will take home €800 per month.
- Full time employees of enterprises in other adversely affected sectors, will be entitled to one days’ salary per week equivalent to €160 per month. Part-time employees will be eligible to one day’s salary per week, equivalent to €100 per month. In the case of Gozo based enterprises this will increase to two days’ salary per week equivalent to €320 per month for full-time employees, and €200 per month for part-time employees.
- In case of full-time self-employed in other adversely affected sectors who have employees will be entitled to two-days’ salary per week equivalent to €320 per month, part-time self-employed shall be entitled for €200 per month.
- Full-time self-employed based in Gozo operating in other adversely affected sectors will be entitled to €320 per month. This will increase to €480, for those self-employed who employ staff, and the employees will be entitled to 2 days salary calculated on €800 a month. Part-time self-employed based in Gozo operating in other adversely affected sectors will be entitled to €200 per month. This will increase to €300 for those part time self-employed who employ staff, and the employees will be entitled to 2 days salary calculated on €800 a month.
- It is understood that in various instances, when the operations are completely closed down due to Covid measures taken by Government. employees might be asked not to attend to work. The employer is obliged to pass on, as a minimum, the €800 wage subsidy less the employee’s national insurance contribution and government taxes to the employee.
- In certain instance if there is agreement with the Department Of Industrial And Employment Relations, employees may be required to work a four or three day week, in these instance the Covid Wage Supplement would still be allocated in accordance to the parameters established above.
Get in touch with us to see whether your business can benefit from any of these incentives.
+356 20103020