kulturradet.no (10.11.2020) The government has introduced a new stimulus scheme for the cultural sector for the autumn of 2020, with a framework of NOK 500 million. In addition, the compensation scheme will be continued with a framework of NOK 200 million and NOK 50 million to strengthen existing schemes under the Norwegian Cultural Fund. The Ministry of Culture has proposed that the stimulation scheme be continued until the summer of 2021, but this must first be approved by the Parliament.

regjeringen.no (10.11.2020) In the supplementary issue, the government proposes that the municipal sector receive an extra NOK 7.3 billion in 2021 . The municipalities receive NOK 6.2 billion. 4.4 billion will be given as an increased population subsidy, while NOK 1.5 billion will be distributed as discretionary funds. In addition, the municipalities receive NOK 321 million from the framework grant for positions related to compliance with the rules for events, restaurants and employees.

regjeringen.no (10.11.2020) The guarantee scheme was established as a temporary measure in light of the corona situation in order to maintain a sufficient credit insurance offer to companies in Norway. The scheme means that the state covers losses with the credit insurance companies totaling up to NOK 20 billion. kroner, through so-called re-insurance. In return, credit insurance companies must pay for reinsurance and commit to maintaining the business.

regjeringen.no (10.11.2020) The government proposes a new compensation scheme of up to NOK 5 billion, for companies with a large drop in turnover as a result of the corona pandemic.

 regjeringen.no (10.11.2020) The government proposes NOK 480 million for a new compensation scheme. The scheme will cover some of the expenses companies have when foreign labor must have the entry quarantine.

.regjeringen.no (03.11.2020) The temporary increased unemployment benefit rate was to go down to the normal level from January 2021, but will now be extended until March.   - Increased uncertainty due to infection control measures means that the government is waiting to reintroduce the normal unemployment benefit rate, the minister says. 

regjeringen.no (03.11.2020) The care allowance rules will be extended until June 2021, and the quotas will also be doubled in 2021. This means that a family next year will be entitled to at least 40 days of care allowance, compared with 20 days in a normal situation. In addition, the rules on sickness benefits in the event of infection or suspected infection will be extended until March.  

regjeringen.no (03.11.2020) Effective until March 2021: right to sickness benefits in the event of absence from work due to covid-19 or suspicion of such illness. It is specified that persons who violate the travel guidelines of national authorities and are required to quarantine on return to Norway may be denied sickness benefits.

The care allowance rules will be extended until June 2021, and the quotas will also be doubled in 2021. This means that a family next year will be entitled to at least 40 days of care allowance, compared with 20 days in a normal situation. In addition, the rules on sickness benefits in the event of infection or suspected infection will be extended until March.  

The temporary increased unemployment benefit rate was to go down to the normal level from January 2021, but will now be extended until March.  - Increased uncertainty due to infection control measures means that the government is waiting to reintroduce the normal unemployment benefit rate, the minister says.  Infection control measures have consequences for many industries. Higher rates will particularly benefit low-wage earners. 

bbc.com (07.11.2020) As part of the announcement of month-long restrictions in England, including the closure of pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops, furlough was initially extended until December. But Chancellor Rishi Sunak has now said it will run until the end of March, although the government will review the policy in January.

yahoo.com (04.11.2020) The policy will go into effect in 2024 and will give workers 12 weeks of paid leave that will be funded through a payroll tax. An additional 4 weeks of leave would be available to parents who experience pregnancy or childbirth complications. An estimated 2.6 million Colorado workers will have access to leave, according to the campaign’s website. Self-employed workers will be eligible, too. Workers will get up to 90% of their pay during their leave, up to the maximum weekly benefit of $1,100 that will be adjusted based on the state average weekly wage. The expansion of family leave policy comes as the pandemic forced many out of the workforce — especially women — to take care of their children. In September, 865,000 women dropped out of the labor force compared to 216,000 men, according to data from the Labor Department.

Ministry of Finance (05.11.2020) All companies that are affected according to the expanded list of KAD April, now throughout the territory, are entitled to a mandatory reduction of rent by 40% on their commercial real estate. The same applies to the main residence of the employees who are suspended from employment, but also to the student residence of their children, throughout the territory. In addition, from November, for owners who rent real estate, 1/2 of their loss will not be offset against their tax liabilities, as provided to date, but will be paid directly to the beneficiaries, and will be credited directly to their banks accounts. The cost is estimated at 30m euros.

Ministry of Finance (05.11.2020) A new one-off financial aid of 400 euros is granted to non-subsidized long-term unemployed, in proportion to the April aid. This policy measure concerns about 130,000 unemployed compatriots of ours, who became long-term unemployed after March 1, 2020. The cost is estimated at 50 million euros.

Ministry of Finance (05.11.2020) All unemployment benefits that expired and expire in September, October, November and December are extended by 2 months. The cost is estimated at 308 million euros.

Ministry of Finance (05.11.2020) Employees of companies-employers, throughout the territory, who are affected according to the expanded list of KAD April, may be temporarily suspended from employment. Therefore, they are entitled to special purpose compensation, in proportion to the period during which they are suspended. For the above period, all insurance contributions, calculated on the nominal salary, are covered by the State Budget, proportionally. The cost of the measure is estimated, based on new data, at 675 million euros, for the month of November alone. Today, in addition to extending the measure, we are announcing an additional political option to financially support employees, in anticipation of the holidays: Business employees until yesterday, November 4, 2020, who will be suspended in November, will receive, within December, instead of 534 euros, 800 euros, calculated proportionally for the days that were suspended. This one-time financial aid to employees is in addition to the coverage of the Christmas gift, as already announced and will be implemented. The cost is estimated at 215 million euros.

Ministry of Finance (16.10.2020) Companies based in a Regional Unit that is part of level 4 for at least 14 days and are significantly affected according to the expanded list of KAD April, including scientific disciplines, are entitled to a mandatory rent reduction of 40% on their commercial real estate. The same applies to the main and student residence of suspended employees. For the owners who rent real estate in these companies and the above employees, 1/3 of the loss is offset against their tax liabilities.

Ministry of Finance (16.10.2020) For the self-employed, self-employed and business owners who employ up to 20 people, who are based in a Regional Unit included in level 4 and are significantly affected according to the expanded list of KAD April, including scientific disciplines, special purpose compensation is given, amounting to 534 euros on a monthly basis. In case the duration of stay at level 4 of the Regional Unit is 14 days or less, the monthly compensation amounts to 300 euros. 

Ministry of Finance (16.10.2020) The employees of business-employers who are based or have a branch in the Regional Unit at level 4 and are significantly affected according to the expanded list of KAD April, may be temporarily suspended are entitled to special purpose compensation, proportional to the period set at a minimum of 14 days, estimated at EUR 534. For the above period, the full insurance contributions are calculated proportionally, calculated on the nominal salary from the state budget. For companies that are closed by order of a public authority, the employment contract of the employees is obligatorily suspended and for as long as the suspension is valid, the dismissals are invalid.

British Politics and Policy at LSE (03.11.2020) Jonathan Wadsworth explains why the furlough scheme seems to have done its job in preventing mass layoffs, as well as other reasons why the total entering unemployment is still much lower than in the 2008-2011 downturn.

VOX, CEPR Policy Portal (04.11.2020) While few groups have weathered the Covid-19 crisis unscathed, recent evidence suggests that the damage has been especially extreme among the economically vulnerable. This column evaluates changing attitudes towards welfare spending as a result of the pandemic. The findings suggest that people living in areas most severely hit by the crisis are increasingly supportive of long-term reforms to the welfare system. Despite having access to relatively widespread welfare spending, European citizens are dissatisfied with the safety net systems currently in place. 

lemonde.fr (23.10.2020) Cette mesure d’urgence pourrait se pérenniser et inspirer d’autres programmes de revenu universel sur le continent.  8-5-5… Trois chiffres qui ont permis aux vendeuses de rue de Lomé, aux couturières ou aux cuisinières de continuer à nourrir leurs enfants au plus fort de la pandémie de Covid-19. En composant ce numéro sur leur téléphone mobile, ces femmes, dont l’activité informelle a disparu à cause de la crise, ont pu bénéficier d’un revenu minimum. Novissi, nom de ce dispositif 100 % digital, a touché près de 570 000 Togolais entre le 8 avril et le 6 juin, date de la levée des couvre-feux dans le Grand Lomé et dans la préfecture de Tchaoudjo. Une première à cette échelle en Afrique.

The Washington Post (05.11.2020) Gig economy workers were pushed to the brink. It led to a historic confrontation over the future of the business model. The state ballot measure, Proposition 22, will make drivers independent contractors according to California law. That supersedes a new law, known as A.B. 5, intended to grant drivers full employment, including minimum wage protections, health care and such benefits as unemployment and sick leave.

Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue (30.10.2020). The law of 23 October 2020 extends, as October 1st, to salaried workers the benefit of the temporary unemployment scheme for force majeure due to corona in the event of the closure of the school, daycare or reception center for disabled people of their child introduced.

Rijksoverheid.nl (27.10.2020) Due to the corona measures, many events, such as music festivals and fairs, have been canceled. Companies and suppliers in the event industry are largely dependent on the summer months for their turnover. This fluctuation in turnover can cause a distorted picture when calculating the TVL. The cabinet is coming up with a one-off extra fee based on the TVL fee for the summer. It is expected to involve 800 event entrepreneurs, who will receive an average of around € 14,000. An amount of € 11 million has been reserved for this.

Rijksoverheid.nl (27.10.2020) Catering entrepreneurs have built up stocks that they can no longer use because of the temporary closure. They have also often invested in staying open in the winter in a corona-safe way, for example by covering their terrace. In addition to the Fixed Expenses Allowance (TVL), the cabinet is granting a one-off subsidy to compensate for these costs, of approximately 2.75 percent of the loss of turnover, an average of € 2500. Entrepreneurs can apply for the subsidy from mid-November via the TVL application. € 40 million has been reserved for this scheme.

Rijksoverheid.nl (27.10.2020) The Fixed Expenses Allowance (TVL) is intended to help entrepreneurs pay their fixed costs, such as rent, while much less money is earned. Until now, the TVL was limited to a number of sectors, but the cabinet has decided to temporarily open the TVL to all sectors. Not only companies directly affected will notice the consequences of the government measures, but also suppliers, the transport sector and food horticulture. € 140 million has been reserved for the temporary extension of TVL. Companies can submit an application from mid-November.