iol.co.za (30.03.2020)

Rwanda has formulated a social protective plan for the delivery of free food to at least 20 000 households in the capital Kigali. The door-to-door delivery is meant to mitigate the impact of a lockdown implemented on March 21 by the government, aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anti-crisis shield - support from ZUS April 1 , 2020 Employment protection and reduction of burdens and maintaining financial liquidity in companies are the main goals of the regulatory package that make up the Anti-Crisis Shield. These regulations enter into force on April 1 this year. Among the solutions that are to prevent the effects of the coronavirus epidemic in Poland is the support provided by ZUS. What support can you get at ZUS? Exemption of small businesses registering up to 9 people for social security from contributions for March, April and May 2020 The state will take over the coverage of ZUS contributions for 3 months from entrepreneurs operating before February 1 this year. The exemption applies to contributions for the entrepreneur and the persons working for him. Self-employed workers with income up to PLN 15,681 (300% of average salary) who pay contributions only for themselves can take advantage of the exemption. The exemption applies to social security contributions, health insurance, Labor Fund, Solidarity Fund, FGŚP, FEP. Both the entrepreneur and the persons working for him will retain the right to health and social security benefits for the period of exemption from contributions. Entrepreneurs paying premiums for their own insurance and persons cooperating with them retain the right to benefits in the event of sickness and maternity if they were in voluntary sickness insurance on February 1, 2020. Companies which were in a difficult situation in December 2019 and did not pay the amounts due, including contributions collected by ZUS, will not benefit from the exemption from contributions. This is due to EU regulations. More details about this form of support and information on how to obtain it . Parking benefit for people who perform civil law contracts (mandate, agency contracts, and specific work contracts) The benefit is, in principle, PLN 2080 (80% of the minimum wage) and is unpaid and untaxed. In the case of persons performing civil law contracts whose sum of revenues from civil law contracts in the month preceding the month in which the application for parking benefit was submitted is up to PLN 1299.99 (less than 50% of the amount of the minimum remuneration for work in 2020), this parking benefit is entitled to the sum of remuneration under these contracts. The condition for obtaining a benefit is that the income in the month preceding the month of submitting the application does not exceed 300% of the average monthly salary from the previous quarter announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office on the basis of the provisions on retirement and disability pensions from the Social Insurance Fund applicable on the day of submitting the application. In addition, the contract must be concluded before February 1 this year. More details about this form of support and information on how to obtain it . Parking benefit for self-employed workers The benefit is, in principle, PLN 2080 (80% of the minimum wage) and is unpaid and untaxed. The condition for obtaining a benefit is that the income in the month preceding the month of submitting the application does not exceed 300% of the average monthly remuneration from the previous quarter announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office on the basis of the provisions on retirement and disability pensions from the Social Insurance Fund applicable on the day of submitting the application. In addition, the business must start before February 1 this year. Revenue in the month preceding the month of submitting the application must fall by at least 15% compared to the previous month. You do not need to suspend your business, but the benefit is also available to self-employed workers who suspended it after January 31 this year. if the income from this activity from the previous month did not exceed 300% of the average monthly remuneration from the previous quarter announced by the President of the Central Statistical Office on the basis of the provisions on retirement and disability pensions from the Social Insurance Fund applicable on the day of submitting the application. Self-employed persons settling in the form of a tax card who benefit from the VAT exemption will receive a parking allowance of PLN 1,300. More details about this form of support and information on how to obtain it .  Discount in the payment of premiums without a prolongation fee - deferment of payment or installment of contributions due The relief applies to all contribution payers. Applies to contributions for the entrepreneur and the persons working for him. It does not matter since the payer has been operating. The size of his company does not matter. Self-employed workers can also take advantage of the discount. The relief applies to contributions from January 2020. Thanks to the relief, you can pay contributions to ZUS in the long run. If the payer submits the application before the date of payment of contributions, he will not bear any costs associated with the discount. If the application is submitted after the deadline for paying contributions, ZUS will calculate interest for late payment on the day of submitting the application. More details about this form of support and information on how to obtain it .

labourwise.co.za (09.04.2020) The Unemployment Insurance Fund said on Wednesday that the allocated National Disaster Benefit Fund would only pay workers whose salaries had been docked until the end of the lockdown.

presidencia.go.cr (16.03.2020) Se mantienen las transferencias monetarias de Avancemos y Crecemos, ayudas económicas del INA, así como los servicios de alimentación para los estudiantes.

eluniverso.com (21.03.2020) El Gobierno dará un bono de contingencia de 60 dólares a quienes viven del día a día y por la emergencia sanitaria de coronavirus no pueden salir a trabajar. El presidente Lenín Moreno, en cadena emitida la noche del viernes, detalló quiénes lo recibirán: quienes se dedican al comercio informal, la crianza de animales, quienes venden comida en la calle, quienes se dedican a la peluquería, costura, panadería, los pequeños agricultores, las trabajadoras del hogar, los mecánicos, albañiles y carpinteros. La ayuda será para quienes no superan ingresos de 400 dólares mensuales y será el Ministerio de Inclusión Económica Social (MIES) la institución que contacte a los beneficiarias a través de llamada, mensaje o visita.

The ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) has published a coprehensive analysis of  Government responses to COVID-19. 

Governments' Responses to COVID-19 (Countries A-L)
Governments' Responses to COVID-19 (Countries M-Z)

mohrss.gov.cn (12.02.2020) The provinces and autonomous regions will announce the online handling platforms within their jurisdictions that have achieved stable job returns to online claiming cities (states and alliances), and will take the initiative through SMS push, website link, handling reminders and other methods. Docking, proactive service, promote "no-face" approval, allocate funds as soon as possible, support enterprises to stabilize jobs, and properly respond to the impact of the epidemic.

mohrss.gov.cn (24.01.2020) If the enterprise is affected by the epidemic, which leads to difficulties in production and operation, it may stabilize the work position through consultation with employees, such as adjusting salary, rotating rotation, shortening working hours, etc., and try not to reduce or reduce the number of employees. Qualified enterprises can enjoy post-stabilization subsidies as required. If an enterprise suspends production and suspends production within a salary payment cycle, the enterprise shall pay the employee's salary in accordance with the standards stipulated in the labor contract. If the employee provides normal labor for more than one wage payment period, the wage paid by the enterprise to the employee shall not be lower than the local minimum wage standard. If the employees do not provide normal labor, the enterprise shall pay living expenses, and the living expenses standards shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations stipulated by the provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

koreaherald.com (03.04.2020) The government decided Friday to make emergency cash payments to households in the bottom 70 percent income bracket, financially hit by the novel coronavirus, by using March health insurance premiums as key standard. The temporary, yet controversial scheme will provide 1 million won ($814) each to four-person households with salaried workers that paid March premiums below 237,000 won, according to the government.

mohrss.gov.cn (24.01.2020) For employees of pneumonia, suspected patients, and close contacts of new coronavirus infection who are unable to provide normal labor during their isolation treatment or medical observation, and because the government implements isolation measures or other emergency measures, the enterprise shall pay employees The remuneration for work during this period shall not be rescinded from employees in accordance with Articles 40 and 41 of the Labor Contract Law. During this period, if the labor contract expires, it will be postponed to the end of the employee's medical period, the medical observation period, the isolation period or the emergency measures taken by the government.

nhsa.gov.cn (23.01.2020) First, after paying for basic medical insurance, serious illness insurance, medical assistance, and other medical expenses incurred for patients diagnosed with pneumonia with a new coronavirus infection, the personal burden will be subsidized by the finance and comprehensive protection will be implemented. Second, for patients diagnosed with pneumonia with new coronavirus infection, they will be treated first and then settled, and reimbursement will not be implemented for the reduction of the proportion of payment for transfer to other places. The third is that the drugs and medical service items used to diagnose patients with pneumonia caused by new coronavirus are in accordance with the new coronavirus infection pneumonia diagnosis and treatment plan formulated by the health department, and can be temporarily included in the payment scope of the medical insurance fund.

world.kbs.co.kr (30.03.2020) The South Korean government will offer reductions or exemptions on four social insurances to ease the burden for low-income households and small business owners amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

mohrss.gov.cn (23.01.2020) The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance and the National Health Commission jointly released an announcement on insurance matters for healthcare workers and other employees infected with Covid-19 when fulfilling job responsibilities will count as work injuries. Workers will qualify for work injury insurance reimbursement, and local fiscal authorities should provide assistance when needed.

Xinhua (25.03.2020)  China has pledged to lend more support to companies with multi-faceted measures in a renewed commitment to protecting jobs for its workforce amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

nhc.gov.cn (20.01.2020) According to the relevant provisions of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, based on the current understanding of the etiology, epidemiology, and clinical characteristics of new coronavirus-infected pneumonia, the State Council approved the agreement and the National Health and Health Commission decided to infect the new coronavirus Pneumonia is included in the management of statutory infectious diseases category B, and preventive and control measures for category A infectious diseases are adopted. New coronavirus-infected pneumonia is included in the management of statutory infectious diseases. People's governments at all levels, health administrative departments, other government departments, and medical and health institutions can take a series of preventive and control measures such as patient isolation treatment and close contact person isolation medical observation according to law to jointly prevent Control the spread of pneumonia outbreaks of new coronavirus infections.

gouv.mc (01.04.2020) Les Services de l’Etat mettent en œuvre dès aujourd’hui, le Revenu Minimum Extraordinaire, mesure annoncée par le Gouvernement princier pour venir en aide aux travailleurs indépendants disposant d’une autorisation d’exercer en nom propre, qui subissent une baisse de leur activité impactée par la crise du Covid-19, au point de les priver de toute ressource. Il s’agit, dans cette situation économique sans précédent, d’octroyer un Revenu Minimum Extraordinaire d’un montant forfaitaire de 1800€ aux travailleurs indépendants en activité en nom propre, qui se retrouveraient sans ressources.

jeuneafrique.com (20.03.2020)  Alors qu’une partie de l’industrie marocaine est à l’arrêt du fait du Covid-19, la dernière réunion du Comité de veille économique a mis en place des mesures en faveur des entreprises et des salariés du privé. Après l’édiction d’une première série de mesures le 16 mars, jugées insuffisantes, le Comité de veille économique (CVE) a tenu une deuxième réunion trois jours plus tard. Cet organe, mis en place par le gouvernement marocain pour suivre l’évolution de la situation économique du pays en raison de la crise du Coronavirus et d’identifier les mesures appropriées en termes d’accompagnement des entreprises, s’est voulu bien plus rassurant pour la sphère économique et les salariés du secteur privé. Après avoir obtenu la suspension du paiement des charges sociales et la mise en place d’un moratoire pour le remboursement des crédits bancaires au profit des entreprises, la CGEM en voulait plus.

businessnews.com.tn (31.03.2020) Le chef du gouvernement Elyes Fakhfakh, a présidé ce mardi 31 mars 2020, un conseil ministériel dédié à la mise en œuvre des mesures sociales annoncées concernant les aides financières et les mesures liées aux institutions et professions en chômage technique.   Selon un communiqué publié par la présidence du gouvernement, l'Etat fournira, par le biais de l'Union tunisienne de sécurité sociale, 60.000 colis de denrées alimentaires, qui seront livrés au domicile des bénéficiaires à partir du vendredi 3 avril et jusqu'à la fin du mois du Ramadan.   Par ailleurs, il a été décidé en coordination avec les ministères de l’Education, des Affaires sociales, de la Défense et de l’Intérieur, d’ouvrir une école dans chaque municipalité pour accueillir les aides et les livrer aux familles nécessiteuses et ce, en coopération avec la société civile.

bdo.com.mt (18.03.2020) Financial assistance for families and unemployed persons: Where one of parents is required to stay at home to take care of children due to school closure and neither of the parents is able to telework– the Government will pay a benefit of €800 per month per family (expected to be for 2 months). Individuals which ended up unemployed due to the employer’s mandatory suspension of business, will benefit from 2 days per week based on a salary cap of €800 per month covered by government. This is expected to apply to individuals previously employed in the accommodation, food and beverages, language schools and entertainment. Employees who ended up unemployed as from 9th March, will benefit from a special unemployment benefit of €800 per month. Disable individuals who due to their medical condition were unable to continue working will also be entitled to a €800 per month for a period to be specified. Persons ending unemployed and previous not benefitting from rent subsidy, can now benefit from the rent subsidy. In case of individuals already benefiting from rent subsidy this will be increased (to an amount not specified). This measure is applicable also if only one dependent has his job terminated.

whpartners.eu (24.03.2020)

Salary and wage support for Maltese employers

The forms of assistance which will be available to employers in these situations for the time being are the following: A financial allocation to employers of €350 for each employee who has been required to take quarantine leave, in line with new regulations. Financial compensation in respect of salaries payable by business which were directly affected by governmental closure orders, subject to an €800 per month, for businesses and self-employed persons which were most affected by the Government’s order of suspension of operations to protect public health and safety. Where the affected business is a self-employed person, this assistance is increased to cover wage expenses payable in respect of three days per week. Additional compensation for self-employed persons who have recorded a decrease of at least 25% in their operational sales, in respect of losses incurred on one day per week. Where the business engages employees, the aid available is increased to the losses incurred on two days per week, capped at €800.

dailymirror.lk (23.03.2020) Samurdhi Authority should issue title certificates to Samurdhi and low income families immediately for issuing nutritious food items to low income persons. They should be provided with rice, dhal and salt on a weekly basis with their food cards.

dailymirror.lk (23.03.2020) A grace period for the payment of income  tax and VAT, driving licence renewal fee, water bills and assessment tax less than Rs. 15,000, monthly credit card bills less than Rs. 50,000, be extended until April 30th.

nib-bahamas.com (23.03.2020) The Unemployment Benefit is payable where an employed person is temporarily laid off because of the negative impacts of COVID-19. The benefit is payable for up to 13 weeks at a rate of 50% of the employee's average insured income.

nib-bahamas.com (20.03.2020) The National Insurance Act & Regulations provides for the payment of Sickness Benefit when a worker is quarantined. Employees with at least 40 contributions to the NIB, have a doctor's certificate and the employer's confirmation. The benefit is 60% of the insured's average insured income and is payable for 14 days.