Continued easier access to short-time work benefits - which applies to companies and employees until the end of June
Created: 02/21/2022, 14:11
Many are still dependent on short-time work benefits in the corona pandemic.
© Monika Skolimowska/dpa (symbol image)
The corona pandemic is not over yet - accordingly, the rules for short-time work continue to apply.
But a financially important regulation was not extended.
Companies can continue to send their employees on
short-time work with relaxed rules due to the corona situation
.
On Friday (February 18), the Bundestag extended the simplified short-time work allowance until June 30.
At the same time, the
maximum entitlement period was
extended from 24 to 28 months.
The law received the votes of the coalition, the union and the left.
AfD MPs abstained.
Existing access simplifications for short-time work were extended beyond March 31.
It is still sufficient if at least
ten percent of the employees are affected by a loss of work
.
Otherwise at least one third of the employees must be affected.
Increased benefit rates and exemption from counting income from minor employment were also extended.
Also read:
Tax return after short-time work: Does the decision result in a tax shock?
Special rules for short-time work benefits extended
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) praised short-time work as an internationally exemplary instrument for preserving jobs in the crisis.
"We secured a total of over three million jobs during the Corona crisis."
Heil defended that social security contributions should generally no longer be half reimbursed.
The government must also look a little at the cash register.
After March 31,
employers will only be
reimbursed half of the contributions if
short-time work is combined with qualification
.
The Union and the left criticized this step, as well as the decision to eliminate temporary work from the short-time work regulation.
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Short-time allowance: Criticism of the omission of half the contribution reimbursement
The employers' association BDA also criticized the
omission of half of the contribution reimbursement
- this was decided against the clear and joint vote of the social partners.
"Short-time work must not be a permanent instrument," according to the BDA.
But the “necessary support” shouldn’t end too soon either.
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