Die ständige Intensivierung der Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung des Coronavirus erhöht weltweit den Handlungsdruck - auch für die Bereiche des öffentlichen Lebens. Aufgrund der hohen Infektiosität sind Schutzmaßnahmen für die Beschäftigten im Bereich des Handels und der Warenlogistik notwendig. Wir weisen darauf hin, dass auch in der jetzigen Situation die Unternehmen die Verantwortung für Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz ihrer Beschäftigten tragen, um einen höchstmöglichen Schutz der Beschäftigten in der gegenwärtigen Risikolage gewährleisten zu können. Wir haben hier die wichtigsten Fragen und Antworten für die Branchen des Handels und der Warenlogistik zusammengestellt. 

The Compensation Commissioner has clarifoed that COVID-19 will be recognized as an occupatioal disease if acquired by employees arising out of  employment through exposure to confirmed cases in the workplace or after an official work trip to a high risk country or area. To qualify for benefits from the Compensation Fund, the following criteria must be met:

1. the diagnosis must be as a result of occupational exposure to a known source of Covid-19;
2. the Covid-19 must be diagnosed as per the World Health Organisation guidelines;
3. the Covid-19 diagnosis must be linked to an approved official trip and travel history to high risk areas or countries on a work assignment or linked to a presumed high-risk work environment where transmission of Covid-19 is inherently prevalent; and
4. a chronological sequence must exist between the work exposure and the development of Covid-19 symptoms.

government.is (21.03.2020) The authorities, in cooperation with the Icelandic Federation of Labour and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, have ensured that quarantined individuals will receive pay while they are in quarantine; however, during that time, other rights, such as sick days provided for in wage agreements, do not apply. This applies to the period from 1 February through 30 April 2020, and it applies to those who are unable to work while they are in quarantine. It is assumed that employers will pay wages to their employees and will then apply to the Treasury for reimbursement up to a specified maximum amount. The same applies to self-employed individuals if they have been forced to stop working due to quarantine during the above-mentioned period.

Payments to self-employed individuals in quarantine are based on 80% of their average monthly income in 2019. Payments are subject to a maximum of ISK 633,000 per month, or ISK 21,100 per day. Average income is based on the average of the estimated income used as the payroll tax base in 2019.

government.is (21.03.2020) During the next 15 months, people can withdraw a monthly sum from their voluntary pension savings, to a maximum of ISK 800,000.

government.is (21.03.2020) A one-off child benefit payment will be made on June 1, 2020 to all families with children under the age of 18. Parents with an average monthly income below ISK 927,000 in 2019 will receive ISK 40,000 per child and those with higher income will receive ISK 20,000 per child.

government.is (21.03.2020)

In order to protect jobs and employment relationships between Icelandic workers and their employers during these extraordinary times, the Government of Iceland has committed to allowing part-time workers to claim up to 75 per cent of unemployment benefits, to avoid job losses. Those who are under threat of losing their jobs will become eligible for unemployment benefits which allow them to move to part time hours for their employer and claim additional support from the Government. The benefit package allows those who cut back to as low as 25% of their previous employment hours or salary to boost the earnings they receive from their employer with Government support up to a combined level of ISK 700,000 per month. The overall aim of this legislation is to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payrolls, rather than lay them off. The self-employed and freelancers are also eligible for this benefit.

info.gov.hk (03.01.2020)

The Government announced today (January 3) that recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA), recipients of the Old Age Allowance (OAA) (including the Guangdong (GD) Scheme and the Fujian (FJ) Scheme), the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) and the Disability Allowance (DA) under the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme, and recipients of the Working Family Allowance (WFA) and Individual-based Work Incentive Transport Subsidy (I-WITS) will receive a one-off extra allowance starting from January 7. This is part of a series of measures to support enterprises, safeguard jobs and relieve people's burden as announced by the Financial Secretary on August 15, 2019.

info.gov.hk (26.02.2020)

The budget also allocates about $2.5 billion of additional expenditure to the Employees Retraining Board to increase the maximum amount of monthly allowance for trainees.        

"I am well aware that financial resources alone are not enough to tackle the challenges we are facing," Mr Chan said. "However, making good use of fiscal reserves to support enterprises and relieve people's hardship is certainly in line with our people's expectations towards the Government under the current difficult environment." 

info.gov.hk (26.02.2020)

The Goverment will pay one month's rent for lower income tenants living in public rental units of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society, involving an expenditure of about $1.829 billion.

info.gov.hk (26.02.2020) Providing an extra allowance to eligible social security recipients, equal to one month's standard rate payment of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance. Similar arrangements will apply to recipients of the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy. This will involve an expenditure of about $4.225 billion.

info.gov.hk (26.02.2020)

To stimulate the economy by boosting local consumption and relieve the financial burden on the community, Mr Chan announced a cash payout of $10,000 to Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above. "This measure, which involves an expenditure of about $71 billion, is expected to benefit about 7 million people," Mr Chan said.  

monenfant.fr (20.03.2020)

L’Etat ayant décidé de la fermeture de la plupart des crèches accueillant des enfants de moins de 3 ans, la Caisse nationale des allocations familiales va verser des aides exceptionnelles aux crèches fermées. Des crèches accueillent, gratuitement, les enfants des familles prioritaires (professionnels de santé, policiers, pompiers, etc.). Afin d’aider les Préfets à mettre en place ce service d’accueil d’urgence, le site internet des Caisses d’allocations (www.monenfant.fr ) a mis en place un service spécifique pour recenser les besoins de ces familles et les places disponibles

Cette avance permet de "s'assurer que tout le monde pourra bien percevoir ses aides à temps" et anticiper les déplacements dans les banques pour éviter l'attente.

ilo.org (25.03.2020) Governments must use the momentum created by the COVID-19 pandemic to make rapid progress toward collectively financed, comprehensive, and permanent social-protection systems.

thestatesman.com (24.03.2020)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved a financial relief package for different segments of society who were vulnerable to the adverse impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the countrys economy, according to the report on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday, the package was approved in a meeting chaired by Khan at the Prime Minister Office (PMO),  Dawn news reported. According to the informed sources, it had been decided that the funds of the government’s much ambitious Ehsaas programme would be distributed among the poor according to the available data of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and through the under progress National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) of the BISP. The BISP is a federal unconditional cash transfer poverty reduction program in the country. Under the package the monthly stipend of the BISP has been increased from 2,000 to 3,000 Pakistani rupees, the sources further added.

Eurofound provides information, advice and expertise on working conditions and sustainable work, industrial relations, labour market change and quality and life and public services, to support the EU Institutions and bodies, Member States and Social Partners in shaping and implementing social and employment policies, as well as promoting social dialogue on the basis of comparative information, research and analysis.

Financial Times (25.03.2020) Disruptions caused by coronavirus have exposed the gaps in the welfare system

Eurofound (19.03.2020) The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is starting to have a serious impact on the world economy. The consequences for platform workers are especially severe in light of forced work stoppages due to self-isolation and lack of sick pay in many cases. Recent media coverage shows that platform workers in the transport sector (ride hailing and food delivery) are most affected, while professional services performed online (such as remote consultations with health professionals) could help to reduce the pressure on health systems.

canada.ca (25.03.2020)

Ottawa’s measures will reduce the amount Canadians will be mandated to withdraw by 25 per cent this year amid concerns seniors will be forced to sell assets into a heavily discounted market, thus reducing the potential long-term value of their retirement portfolios in the event of an equity market resurgence. The Canadian government said the measure would cost $495 million of its $82-billion economic response plan announced on Wednesday. 

canada.ca (23.03.2020)

A new Indigenous Community Support Fund

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. This plan includes $305 million for a new, distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. This funding will also provide support to regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.

These new funds will flow directly to Indigenous communities and groups across the country and will provide Indigenous leadership with the flexibility needed as they prepare for and react to the spread of COVID-19. These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to:

• support for Elders and vulnerable community members
• measures to address food insecurity
• educational and other support for children
• mental health assistance and emergency response services
• preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

canada.ca (23.03.2020)  The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit: We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to: 

• workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19. working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

This benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit.

canada.ca (25.03.2020) Support for individuals and families: Increasing the Canada Child Benefit. We are providing an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family. This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

bbc.com (25.03.2020)

Según el Plan de Respuesta y Alivio Económico ante la Emergencia Nacional contra el covid-19, el gobierno suspenderá el pago de los recibos de electricidad, agua, teléfono, cable e internet por los próximos tres meses. También se aplazará por el mismo períodoel pago de alquileres y de las cuotas de créditos hipotecarios, de consumo, tarjetas o crédito de vehículo para personas o empresas afectadas por la pandemia. Los pagos de los alquileres tanto de viviendas como locales comerciales serán prorrogados y se regularán los precios para evitar un aumento que afecte a sectores más vulnerables, indica el documento. "Esto incluye a empresas pequeñas, empresas micro, dueños y trabajadores de restaurantes, comedores, gimnasios, las personas en cuarentena, los enfermos que tengamos, personas que han sido enviadas a casa sin sueldos", aclaró Bukele sobre los grupos a los que iba dirigido.