In the corona pandemic, several crisis laws were passed at a rapid pace. The coalition is now following up with support for other areas. It's about a higher short-time work allowance and a care bonus.
Berlin (dpa) - An extra bonus for nurses, higher short-time allowance and wage replacement for caring relatives: The Bundestag has decided a number of other measures to cushion the consequences of the pandemic for millions of employees.
According to the plans of health minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and social minister Hubertus Heil (SPD), there should also be relief for caring relatives and for the unemployed. The Federal Council has already approved the short-time allowance and the care bonus. An overview of the new regulations.
- Short-time work allowance: Those who have to do short-time work for longer periods of time should be prevented from losing wages. So far, there is 60 percent of the last net wage, or 67 percent for people with children. In future, it should be 70 percent or 77 percent from the fourth month of receipt - 80 percent or 87 percent from the seventh month. Counting takes place retrospectively from March. So anyone who has been on at least 50 percent short-time work since then should get more money from July, the second increase would then take effect from October. The regulation expires again at the end of the year. The additional earnings opportunities for employees in short-time work will also be expanded from May 1 to December 31 to the full amount of the previous monthly income.
- Unemployment benefit: Due to the currently poor prospects on the labor market, unemployment benefits are to be extended by three months for those whose entitlement would end between May 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The increase in short-time work benefits and the extension of unemployment benefits cost the Federal Employment Agency an additional 2.6 billion euros.
- Care bonus: Employees in geriatric care should receive a tiered premium of up to EUR 1,000 this year. The amount depends on function and working hours. The costs are estimated at around one billion euros. Countries or employers can increase the bonus up to 1500 euros, which would remain tax-free. Several countries have already announced it. Spahn named Bavaria, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Bremen on Thursday.
- Nursing support: Nursing care allowance as a wage replacement for employees who have to take care of relatives at short notice will be paid for 20 instead of 10 days until the end of September. The right not to go to work due to an acute care situation in the family is also extended to 20 days.
Legislative work / social package
