Anti-epidemic Fund ｜ Three major loopholes in the employment plan have not blocked the union, worrying that wage earners will be cut

Social News

Written by: Huang Yongyu

2020-04-24 07:30

The epidemic of the new coronavirus pneumonia continues. The Finance Committee earlier approved a second round of anti-epidemic funds involving 137.5 billion yuan, of which 81 billion yuan was used for the "employment protection" wage subsidy program. However, after the Finance Committee passed the next day, a union received workers' help and was asked by the company to reduce their pay by 30%. Wu Min'er, chairman of the Workers' Union, pointed out that there are still a number of loopholes in the job security plan, including the inability to improve the wage cuts and layoffs of wage earners. Some economists also believe that under the monitoring mechanism, "Which employer is the one who pays the money, does the system really treat employees?"

▼ Questions and answers for the employment protection plan ▼

+2

A government spokesman said yesterday (20th) that the "employment protection" plan with a commitment of 81 billion yuan will be launched as soon as possible, subsidizing employers with 50% of their wages, and a cap of 9,000 yuan for a period of 6 months. Employers are required to sign a commitment letter, promising not to lay off employees during the subsidy period, and to use the full amount for salaries. The first instalment will be paid no later than June this year; self-employed persons with MPF contributions will also receive a lump sum of 7,500 The subsidy is expected to benefit more than 260,000 employers and 1.7 million employees, as well as approximately 215,000 self-employed people. However, if the employer is "satisfied," the government has not announced detailed penalties.

1. Unable to prevent employers from reducing wages and requiring employees to take unpaid leave. The

chairman of the Workers ’Union, Wu Miner, bluntly stated that the day after the Finance Committee passed the second wave of anti-epidemic funds, the union had received help. For a salary of 30%, colleagues need to sign a voluntary agreement on this, "20% has been reduced by January", and the plan is only to "guarantee positions, not labor."

2. Only the head count is excluded.

In addition, the Chief of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, Luo Zhiguang, also stated earlier that the plan "only count the head count." Wu Min'er said that employers can dismiss employees, and then hire people with lower labor, "fire a 20,000 labor, and then use the minimum wage to return to the individual." In addition, she also pointed out that there may be "human skin lantern" employees, Employers may falsify sign-in records to defraud subsidies.

3. It is unknown

that employees and trade unions report penalties. Wu Miner believes that in the absence of a supervisory mechanism, even multiple penalties are difficult to be effective. The government once said that it is up to the citizens and the union to report. She asked, "Is it not possible for each union to send someone to the company for investigation?" She believes that the union can monitor the situation by signing a collective bargaining power agreement with the company, which is supported by practical documents.

Economists worry about the chaos of the plan and it is difficult to secure employment.

Zhuang Tailiang, an associate professor in the Department of Economics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, pointed out that many companies have been affected by anti-revision demonstration conflicts and the impact of the epidemic since June last year. He also questioned whether the plan could achieve the effect of "guaranteing employment". "In the end, employers pay for money, and the system is really able to treat employees. It may be possible to pay off debts or pay rent." Zhuang also pointed out that some industries only rent It is the largest expenditure, coupled with the poor business environment, it may still be closed.

New Crown Pneumonia ｜ Employee Union Advocates Employment Protection Program to Extend Wage Reference Period to the End of Last Year

[Anti-epidemic Fund] Unemployment rate soars Hong Kong government ’s “Guaranteed Employment” food distribution plan issued before June

【New Coronary Pneumonia】 Winter group in retail insurance department hopes the government will block the loopholes in the employment protection program

New Crown Pneumonia New Crown Pneumonia Unemployment Rate Epidemic and Anti-epidemic Fund