The state will "fully" cover the partial unemployment demanded by companies penalized by the spread of the new coronavirus, said Friday the Minister of Labor Muriel Pénicaud.
"Companies hesitated by saying that they did not have the means to take charge (...), there we will fully reimburse 100% of partial unemployment", including beyond the minimum wage, said the minister on Franceinfo TV. "We will take it into account in the budget of the Ministry of Labor." "Whatever the cost, we will face," she added.
Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that “ everything will be done to protect our employees and our businesses, whatever the cost. An exceptional and massive mechanism will be implemented; the state will take charge of employees forced to stay at home ”. Words confirmed by the Minister of Labor this Friday morning at the microphone of Franceinfo.
Muriel Pénicaud indicated that " everything that can be done by telework must be done by telework ". A third of French employees would be able to use telework, which can be imposed by the company " in case of emergency " and which cannot be refused to the employee.
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All companies affected " by the crisis, directly or indirectly " can also apply to place their employees on short-time working. At this stage, 5,117 companies have carried out this process, for a total of 80,000 employees. The cost of the measure for these workers is estimated at 242 million euros.
A " minimum service " to keep the caregivers' children
Regarding parents who would have to look after their children after the closure of schools, colleges and high schools, the Minister of Labor recalled that sick leave without a deficiency day, and without going through the doctor's office could be taken. The employer “ cannot say no to sick leave, a decree provides that it is possible for 20 days. We support parents who say to themselves: "How do we do it? " Nursing staff will be able to use a " minimum service " for their children in order to be able to perform their functions " in hospitals, in nursing homes".
Deferral of business contributions
In the arsenal of measures planned for companies, which face a " deadline of URSSAF on March 15 ", a postponement of payment of social and tax charges is provided " on a simple email " . This postponement will be " automatic for all companies which request it ".
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10 billion euros had been put on the table by the government last year to respond to the " yellow vests " crisis. The measures planned against the coronavirus should " probably " cost more than double, according to Muriel Pénicaud.