resvista.seg-social.es (17.03.2020)

El Consejo de Ministros ha aprobado, a propuesta del ministro de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, José Luis Escrivá, un Real Decreto-Ley que incluye varias medidas para aliviar la situación de las personas trabajadoras afectadas por la declaración del estado de alarma. El objetivo es paliar los efectos del COVID-19 tanto para los trabajadores y trabajadoras por cuenta propia como ajena. Se trata de un conjunto de medidas encaminadas además a favorecer la vuelta a la actividad y al empleo, una vez concluya la emergencia sanitaria por el coronavirus. Exoneración de cuotas El Real Decreto-Ley establece, en primer lugar, que las empresas que realicen un Expediente de Regulación de Empleo Temporal (ERTE) a causa del COVID-19 -cuyos requisitos se flexibilizan- podrán acceder a una exoneración de las cuotas a la Seguridad Social, que corresponderían por los trabajadores afectados por dichos expedientes, en los términos que indica el texto del real decreto. Se aplicará tanto a las personas trabajadoras con suspensión del contrato como aquellas que vean reducida su jornada por el ERTE. Esta exoneración no tendrá impacto sobre los trabajadores, pues ese periodo constará como efectivamente cotizado a todos los efectos. Además, para facilitar los trámites a las empresas en este momento tan complicado, no será necesario que realicen ninguna solicitud expresa ante la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, sino que ésta directamente no facturará las cotizaciones de los empleados identificados por la empresa a través del Sistema de Liquidación Directa y el SEPE.

europapress.es (17.03.2020) Se destinarán hasta 83.400 millones de reales (15.140 millones de euros) a la población más vulnerable, un total de 59.400 millones de reales (10.778 millones de euros) al mantenimiento de puestos de trabajo y al menos 4.500 millones de reales (816 millones de euros) a la lucha directa contra la pandemia. Esta partida presupuestaria se une a algunas medidas que el Ejecutivo de Jair Bolsonaro ha adoptado durante las últimas semanas. En concreto, el Gobierno del país ya anunció la anticipación de paga para jubilados y pensionistas del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social de agosto a abril. Tras esta iniciativa, Guedes ha comunicado también la anticipación de la paga de diciembre a mayo, por un total de 23.000 millones de reales brasileños (4.179 millones de euros). "Con el objetivo de combatir los impactos causados por el nuevo coronavirus, anunciamos la liberalización de 147.300 millones de reales brasileños, que serán destinados a la atención de las personas más vulnerables, preservar puestos de trabajo y reforzar la salud, entre otras acciones", explicó el presidente de Brasil, Jair Bolsonaro, en su cuenta de Twitter. Respecto al paquete de medidas en lo laboral, el Gobierno tiene la intención de permitir la exención, durante tres meses, de las contribuciones de los empresarios al Fondo de Garantía de Tiempo de Servicio (FGTS), estimado en 30.000 millones de reales (5.452 millones de euros). El dinero no deberá ser abonado durante dichos 90 días, pero se reembolsará dentro de un período que aún no se ha definido.

mitramiss.gob.es (17.03.2020)

El Consejo de Ministros ha aprobado, a propuesta del ministro de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, José Luis Escrivá, un Real Decreto-Ley que incluye varias medidas para aliviar la situación de las personas trabajadoras afectadas por la declaración del estado de alarma. El objetivo es paliar los efectos del COVID-19 tanto para los trabajadores y trabajadoras por cuenta propia como ajena. Se trata de un conjunto de medidas encaminadas además a favorecer la vuelta a la actividad y al empleo, una vez concluya la emergencia sanitaria por el coronavirus.

Exoneración de cuotas

El Real Decreto-Ley establece, en primer lugar, que las empresas que realicen un Expediente de Regulación de Empleo Temporal (ERTE) a causa del COVID-19 -cuyos requisitos se flexibilizan- podrán acceder a una exoneración de las cuotas a la Seguridad Social que corresponderían por los trabajadores afectados por dichos expedientes, en los términos que indica el texto decreto. Se aplicará tanto a las personas trabajadoras con suspensión del contrato como aquellas que vean reducida su jornada por el ERTE. Esta exoneración no tendrá impacto sobre los trabajadores, pues ese periodo constará como efectivamente cotizado a todos los efectos. Además, para facilitar los trámites a las empresas en este momento tan complicado, no será necesario que realicen ninguna solicitud expresa ante la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, sino que ésta directamente no facturará las cotizaciones de los empleados identificados por la empresa a través del Sistema de Liquidación Directa y el SEPE.

Flexibilización del cese por actividad

Para los trabajadores y trabajadoras por cuenta propia se establece también una nueva prestación extraordinaria para los casos en que su actividad se haya visto severamente afectada por las medidas tomadas por el COVID-19. Podrán solicitar esta nueva prestación, análoga a la de cese de actividad, aquellas personas trabajadoras por cuenta propia o autónomas, cuya actividad quede suspendida por la declaración del estado de alarma o cuya facturación en el mes anterior al que se solicita la prestación se vea reducida, al menos, en un 75 % en relación con el promedio de facturación del semestre anterior. Esta prestación, que será incompatible con cualquier otra de la Seguridad Social, tendrá una cuantía del 70% de la base reguladora, aunque no se haya cumplido el periodo mínimo para acceder a la prestación por cese de actividad. La duración de esta prestación extraordinaria será de un mes, pudiéndose ampliar hasta el último día mes en el que finalice el estado de alarma, en el supuesto de que éste se prorrogue. El tiempo de su percepción se entenderá como cotizado y no reducirá los períodos de prestación por cese de actividad a los que el beneficiario pueda tener derecho en el futuro. También podrán solicitar esta prestación aquellos profesionales autónomos con trabajadores y trabajadoras a su cargo. En este caso, podrán tramitar un ERTE para éstos y, al mismo tiempo, acceder a esta prestación extraordinaria. El objetivo de estas medidas es que el empleo pueda recuperarse lo antes posible una vez pasada esta situación excepcional. Para acceder a esta nueva prestación, la persona beneficiaria deberá dirigirse a la Mutua habitual con la que tengan cubiertas las contingencias profesionales; al ISM, en el caso del Régimen Especial de Trabajadores del Mar o al SEPE, en los casos en los que tengan la cobertura con el Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS).

kyoukaikenpo.or.jp (10.03.2020)

If the insured leaves the company for medical treatment due to a Covid 19 infection and cannot receive compensation from the employer, the already existing sickness and sickness allowance will be paid. It will also apply to cases in which the insured is positive to Covid 19 but has no symptoms or that an insured with symptoms is doing home treatment. In the latter case, a doctor's note acquired later on or at least employer's certificate is required.

nenkin.go.jp (06.03.2020)

For cases where it is difficult for employers to temporarily pay Employees' Pension Insurance premiums due to the impact of the COVID 19 on the business conditions of business establishments: some might be eligible for the "Grace of exchange", which is a system that allows employers to pay Employees' Pension Insurance premiums in installments if there is a risk that it will make business continuation difficult by paying insurance premiums at one once.

mhlw.go.jp (March, 2020)

Subsidies have been introduced to working parents who must take leave because of closed schools. The ministry is establishing a new subsidy for employers who allow their employees with children whose school is closed due to Covid19, 100% paid leave. The subsidy amount will be 100% of wage paid to employees up to 8330 yen per person, per day.

12.03.2020

Statutory Sick Pay – The government will support small and medium-sized businesses and employers to cope with the extra costs of paying COVID-19 related SSP by refunding eligible SSP costs. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are as follows: this refund will be limited to two weeks per employee employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible. The size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28 February 2020 employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP (according to the new eligibility criteria) as a result of COVID-19 employers should maintain records of staff absences, but should not require employees to provide a GP fit note the eligible period for the scheme will commence from the day on which the regulations extending SSP to self-isolators come into force while existing systems are not designed to facilitate such employer refunds for SSP, the government will work with employers over the coming months to set up a repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible.

12.03.2020

Hardship Fund – The government will provide Local Authorities in England with £500 million of new grant funding to support economically vulnerable people and households in their local area. The government expects most of this funding to be used to provide more council tax relief, either through existing Local Council Tax Support schemes, or through complementary reliefs. 

12.03.2020

Medical Evidence for SSP – The government has already issued guidance to employers, advising them to use their discretion not to require a GP fit note for COVID-19 related absences. This Budget announces that the government and the NHS will bring forward a temporary alternative to the fit note in the coming weeks which can be used for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. This system will enable people who are advised to self-isolate to obtain a notification via NHS111 which they can use as evidence for absence from work, where necessary. This notification would meet employers’ need for evidence, whilst taking pressure away from General Practices.

12.03.2020

The Budget announces measures to support people who are unable to work because of COVID-19.

Eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – The Prime Minister has already announced that the forthcoming COVID-19 Bill will temporarily allow SSP to be paid from the first day of sickness absence, rather than the fourth day, for people who have COVID-19 or have to self‑isolate, in accordance with government guidelines. The Budget sets out a further package to widen the scope of SSP and make it more accessible. The government will temporarily extend SSP to cover: individuals who are unable to work because they have been advised to self-isolate people caring for those within the same household who display COVID-19 symptoms and have been told to self-isolate.

Support for those ineligible for SSP – The government recognises that self-employed people and employees below the Lower Earnings Limit are not entitled to SSP. The best system of financial support for these people is the welfare system and, in particular, ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. The government is committed to supporting these groups, and the Budget announces further support by making it quicker and easier to receive benefits:

• ‘New style’ Employment and Support Allowance will be payable for people directly affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating according to government advice for from the first day of sickness, rather than the eighth day 

• people will be able to claim Universal Credit and access advance payments where they are directly affected by COVID-19 (or self-isolating), without the current requirement to attend a jobcentre

• for the duration of the outbreak, the requirements of the minimum income floor in Universal Credit will be temporarily relaxed for those directly affected by COVID-19 or self-isolating according to government advice for duration of the outbreak, ensuring self‑employed claimants will be compensated for losses in income

Bern, 13.03.2020

Für die Kurzarbeitsentschädigung können im Fonds der Arbeitslosenversicherung bis 8 Milliarden Franken beansprucht werden. Die Karenzfrist für die Kurzarbeit wird ab sofort bis 30. September 2020 auf einen Tag reduziert. Die Unternehmen haben so nur den Arbeitsausfall von einem Tag selbständig zu tragen, bevor ihnen die Unterstützung der Arbeitslosenversicherung zusteht. Der Bundesrat beauftragt zudem das SECO bis zum 20. März eine Ausweitung des Anspruchs auf Kurzarbeitsentschädigung auf Arbeitnehmende mit befristeten (nicht kündbaren) Arbeitsverhältnissen und Arbeitnehmende in Temporärarbeit zu prüfen. Eine solche Ausweitung setzt eine Gesetzesanpassung voraus.

13.03.2020

As a result of the new corona virus, the government has announced that the pending deduction is temporarily canceled by the state paying sickness benefit for the first day of the illness. The aim of the measure is ultimately to reduce the spread of infection in society. The new regulations will apply from 11 March to 11 May 2020. - To reduce the risk of spreading the disease, it is important that the person who is ill does not go to work. In the situation that we are in now, it is reasonable for the state to take financial responsibility for the first day of illness to help the individual, says Social Security Minister Ardalan Shekarabi. The measure means that the employee may subsequently seek reimbursement for the first day of sick leave from the state. The application is made retroactively to the Social Insurance Office. Employers should make a waiting deduction as usual. Self-employed persons will also be compensated for a waiting day. The further meaning of the proposal as a whole will be indicated in the extra amending budget which the government will decide in the near future. This is a substantive political agreement that has been concluded between the Social Democrats, the Center Party, the Liberals and the Green Party.

philstar.com (17.03.2020) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has temporarily suspended the cash grants to beneficiaries of its poverty alleviation program in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The agency suspended the payouts for the  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),  social pension and unconditional cash transfer (UCT) for indigents as well as the distribution of 4Ps cash cards and field surveys for the 2019 National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or the Listahanan. The Listahanan lays down the database of the country’s poorest families. DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista signed on March 14 Department Advisory No. 1, providing guidelines on the prevention, control and mitigation of COVID-19 in DSWD offices as well as in its attached and supervised agencies.  The advisory set the steps to be taken by the agency to safeguard its workers from COVID-19, and in joining national efforts to contain and eradicate the disease. The advisory also identified DSWD programs and services to be suspended from March 15 to April 14, as these require meetings or convergence of beneficiaries and other stakeholders.  “This step will minimize the exposure of the beneficiaries and DSWD employees to the threats of COVID-19,” the agency said in a statement. The DSWD gave the assurance that it would regularly assess the suspension to ensure its responsiveness to the evolving situation. “This will determine if the suspension of the programs and activities will have to be continued or not,” the agency said. Meanwhile, the DSWD said it would continue its assistance to individuals in crisis situation program for the needy.

elconfidencial.com (12.03.2020)

El Gobierno garantizará el acceso a la prestación por cese de actividad (el paro de los autónomos) a todos los cotizantes del RETA que hayan sufrido una fuerte caída en su cifra de actividad como consecuencia del brote de la enfermedad, explican fuentes conocedoras de las negociaciones. Ahí se contemplarán todos los casos, pero beneficiará especialmente a los autónomos que tienen contratos que se están cancelando, por ejemplo, en el caso de eventos, atracciones del turismo o servicios auxiliares a colegios y guarderías tras su cierre. 

Así los trabajadores autónomos podrán percibir una prestación equivalente a la de los trabajadores asalariados que sufran algún tipo de reducción de jornada a través de expedientes de regulación de empleo temporal (ERTE). Las cotizaciones acumuladas durante el último año, y que se suman a las realizadas voluntariamente en los años anteriores, apenas se han utilizado, por lo que existe un remanente que podrá utilizar el Ministerio de Trabajo para abonar esta prestación.

Además, el Consejo de Ministros adoptará este jueves otra medida importante, una moratoria de hasta tres meses en las cuotas a la Seguridad Social de los autónomos. En concreto, se permitirá que retrasen el pago de tres meses consecutivos hasta un plazo de máximo de un año para que así estén liberados de una parte de la carga fiscal durante estos meses difíciles por el brote del coronavirus.

zus.pl (23.0.2020) Additional care allowance is granted for the duration of childcare in connection with the closing of a crèche, children's club, kindergarten, school due to COVID-19. Additional care allowance is payable to parents or legal guardians of children who:

⇒ look after a child under 8 years old;

⇒ are covered by sickness insurance (e.g. employees, contractors, entrepreneurs).

16.03.2020

Sick leave does not require personal attendance NAV accepts sick leave without personal examination when it comes to infectious disease that is of importance to public health.  NAV encourages patients to use the telephone. E-consultation can also be a suitable form of consultation. The person who reports the patient must, based on a professional judgment, consider how the examination should be conducted. This is an exception to the main rule that sick leave requires personal examination.

In this first phase, the government has prioritized the following measures:

• Measures in the health care system to deal with the emergency situation.
• Reduce the number of days of payroll pay for employers on layoffs from 15 to 2 days and eliminate the waiting days for unemployment benefits for those who are laid off. At the same time, the requirement to reduce working hours in order to receive unemployment benefits during layoffs is reduced from 50 percent to 40 percent. 
• Changes in the pension rules so that current retirement pension does not fall away or be reduced by voluntary or ordered service for health personnel in connection with the corona outbreak.

jdsupra.com (16.03.2020) If the activities of the company are strongly affected by COVID-19, employers can apply for a permit for a reduction in working time (werktijdverkorting) at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. This means that employees will temporarily work reduced time. Employees can receive a temporary unemployment benefit for the hours not worked, while they remain fully employed by the Employer. The permit is valid for a period of maximum 6 weeks and can be extended for a maximum total period of 24 weeks.

Employers must meet the following conditions:

• The company has been affected by a situation that does not fall under the normal business risks (such as COVID-19);
• It is expected that during a period of 2 to 24 weeks sales are at least 20% lower than normal due to the effects of COVID-19 and the measures taken.

pmo.gov.my (11.03.2020) UTRAJAYA. The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government today launched a special fund which will give financial aid to those directly affected by the COVID-19 infection. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said for a start, RM1 million had been channelled into the fund to help COVID-19 patients and those under 14-day quarantine but not holding any jobs. “We don’t want their lives to be affected. So, this is one type of humanitarian aid we are giving. “If we can raise funds from the people, whatever we collect will be given to those eligible for the aid,” he told a press conference after chairing the first Cabinet meeting of the PN government at Perdana Putra here today. The fund, which is managed by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), covers those placed under 14-day home surveillance as well as COVID-19 patients being treated at hospitals.

straitstimes.com (04.03.2020) Some 2.3 trillion won will be allocated to medical institutions and fund quarantine efforts, with another 3.0 trillion won going to small- to medium-sized businesses struggling to pay wages to their workers, and child care subsidies, the finance ministry said. Loans will be made on relaxed terms to affected exporters while people who have lost their jobs will be re-trained.

europapress.es (16.03.2020)  Brasil inyectará 26.705 millones por el coronavirus. Se destinarán hasta 83.400 millones de reales (15.140 millones de euros) a la población más vulnerable, un total de 59.400 millones de reales (10.778 millones de euros) al mantenimiento de puestos de trabajo y al menos 4.500 millones de reales (816 millones de euros) a la lucha directa contra la pandemia. Esta partida presupuestaria se une a algunas medidas que el Ejecutivo de Jair Bolsonaro ha adoptado durante las últimas semanas. En concreto, el Gobierno del país ya anunció la anticipación de paga para jubilados y pensionistas del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social de agosto a abril.

(14.03.2020) As part of the response, the House passed H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Here are some of the highlights in the bill:

• - Tax credits for paid sick and paid family and medical leave, including for the self-employed
• - Health plan testing coverage
• - Funding for nutrition assistance programs
• - Funding for the Senior Nutrition Program in the Administration for Community Living (ACL)
• - Emergency transfers for Unemployment Compensation Administration
• - Job-protected leave
• - Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs
• - Reimbursement for COVID-19 diagnostic testing

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (16.03.2020) Reforming EI to protect more workers. This paper examines how well protected Canadian workers are now and what else should be done to better insulate them from these risks.

KPMG China (15.03.2020) Hubei Province : Between February and June 2020: All enterprises enrolled in China Social Security Schemes are exempt from making employer contributions to pension, unemployment and work-related injury insurance schemes. 

National Post (13.03.2020) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced changes to Canada’s sick-leave benefits under employment insurance Wednesday, to respond to concerns about COVID-19