COVID-19

Fiji: Contribution reduction

Submitted by siha on

National Provident Fund (01.04.2020) To support all employers in Fiji, the statutory FNPF employer contribution is halved from 10 percent to 5 percent effective from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020. This expected to provide a $130 million relief to employers for the next 9 months. The employee Contribution is reduced from 8 percent to 5 percent effective from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020. This will put around $80 million back in the pockets of Fijian employees for the next 9 months.

Regions / Country
fiji
Global challenges
Topics
Contribution collection and compliance
COVID-19
Document Type

Fiji: Pensioners Assistance

Submitted by siha on

National Provident Fund (30.03.2020) The Fund has decided to waive renewal certificate submissions for all Pensioners whose certificates were due in March, April, May or June and pay based on the presumption of life. This decision was implemented in light of preventative measures against COVID-19 to discourage our senior members from visiting public open or crowded places. This will be reviewed again in respect of the duration of the public restrictions that are currently in place.

Regions / Country
fiji
Topics
Old-age pensions
Service delivery
COVID-19
Document Type

Fiji: COVID-19 Withdrawal Scheme - Phase 3

Submitted by siha on

National Provident Fund (10.08.2020) FNPF members who are on reduced hours and reduced wage rate can apply for Phase 3 commencing 10 August 2020. Government top is applicable in Phase 3 for members who have insufficient General Account balance. The amount per member is from $220 to $880 for members who are on reduced working hours/day per week depending on reduced days. The amount is $550 for members whose wage/salary rates per hour is reduced up to 50%, and $1.110 for members whose wage/salary rates per hour is reduced by more than 50%.

Regions / Country
fiji
Global challenges
Topics
Unemployment
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

Fiji: COVID-19 Withdrawal Scheme - Phase 2

Submitted by siha on

National Provident Fund (09.06.2020) FNPF members who have been Unemployed from 1 October 2019 or have just become Unemployed or are on Leave Without Pay can apply for Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Withdrawal Scheme commencing 9 June 2020. The amount is $1,100 (Government top up applicable) or $880 for members who received $220 on 5 June (Fully funded by Government).

Regions / Country
fiji
Global challenges
Topics
Unemployment
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

Fiji: FNPF Pensioners to receive COVID-19 relief

Submitted by siha on

National Provident Fund (26.05.2020) More than 7,000 Fiji National Provident Fund pensioners will receive a COVID-19 relief payment today,Tuesday 26 May 2020. The payment, which ranges from $300 to $900, will be disbursed directly to the Fund’s active pensioners. Chief Executive Officer Jaoji Koroi said the Fund was able to provide this one-off payment to pensioners,following amendments to the FNPF Act.

Regions / Country
fiji
Global challenges
Topics
Old-age pensions
COVID-19
Document Type

Bhutan: Druk Gyalpo's Relief Kidu extended for three months

Submitted by siha on

Druk Gyalpo's Relief Kidu (20.07.2020) The Relief Kidu has been extended for three months, from July to September 2020. Bhutanese who have been displaced by the coronavirus pandemic and are currently residing in Bhutan are eligible for the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu. The displaced group includes those who have been laid off, placed on unpaid leave or on reduced pay from businesses as well as self-employed individuals who have lost their earnings either partially or completely. The Kidu amount has been revised to Nu. 10,000 for the full amount and Nu.

Regions / Country
bhutan
Global challenges
Topics
Unemployment
Extension of coverage
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

New Zealand: Resurgence Wage Subsidy announcement

Submitted by siha on

Ministry of Social Development (17.08.2020) The Government has announced a new payment, the Resurgence Wage Subsidy. It’s a two-week payment for businesses who have had, or expect to have, a revenue drop of at least 40% because of COVID-19 for a continuous 14 day period between 12 August to 10 September compared to a similar period last year, and aren’t getting the Wage Subsidy, Wage Subsidy Extension or the Leave Support Scheme.

The subsidy is for 2-weeks from the day you submit your application, and will be paid at a flat rate of:

Regions / Country
new zealand
Global challenges
Topics
Employment
Extension of coverage
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

New Zealand: COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

Submitted by siha on

Ministry of Social Development (18.08.2020) The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme (used to be 'COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support') is available for employers, including sole traders, to pay their employees who can't work. This means your employees: can't come into work because they are in one of the affected groups and Ministry of Health guidelines recommend they stay at home, and can't work from home.

The Leave Support Scheme will be paid at a flat rate of:

Regions / Country
new zealand
Global challenges
Topics
Cash sickness benefits
Safety and health at work
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

New Zealand: Wage Subsidy Extension

Submitted by siha on

Ministry of Social Development (10.06.2020) The Wage Subsidy Extension is an 8-week payment for qualifying businesses who have had a 40% decline in revenue because of COVID-19 for a continuous 30 day period compared to a similar period last year.

Regions / Country
new zealand
Global challenges
Topics
Employment
Extension of coverage
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type

New zealand: Apprenticeship Boost

Submitted by siha on

Ministry of Social Development (05.08.2020) Apprenticeship Boost is a payment to help employers keep and take on new apprentices. It means apprentices can keep earning and training towards their qualifications as the economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19. The payment is made directly to employers.

You can get Apprenticeship Boost for a maximum of 20 months from the 5th of August 2020. It's paid in advance monthly. How much you can get depends on whether your apprentice is in their first or second year of training:

Regions / Country
new zealand
Global challenges
Topics
Employment of young workers
Cash transfers
COVID-19
Document Type