The
executive's
“
whatever the cost
”
strategy
is confirmed.
Bercy announced on Wednesday new support measures for sectors in difficulty and affected by the introduction of a curfew for a minimum of four weeks.
Read also: Coronavirus: curfew, private parties, teleworking ... What to remember from Castex announcements
To stop the spread of the epidemic without affecting economic activity too much, the government is putting an additional billion euros on the table.
"
It makes more sense to strengthen economic support for businesses rather than having to deal with tens of thousands of bankruptcies and an explosion of unemployment,
" said Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire.
Reinforced solidarity fund, exemption from social charges, loans guaranteed by the State, debate around rents ... Here are the new aid systems from which companies concerned by the turn of the screw which will come into force on Saturday evening.
The strengthened and simplified Solidarity Fund
"
We will once again strengthen, simplify and expand the
Solidarity Fund
," said the tenant of Bercy.
Firstly, all companies with less than 50 employees who are installed in curfew zones and which have lost 50% of their turnover compared to 2019 will be able to benefit from aid of up to 500 euros. , and this for the duration of the measurement.
Hotels, cafes, restaurants, cultural, event or even sports companies will benefit from access to the Solidarity Fund of up to 10,000 euros per month, when they experience a loss of revenue. 50% business.
Access to the fund was previously subject to a 70% drop.
A new list of professions representing 75,000 additional companies should now benefit from the solidarity fund.
Before that, 150,000 companies were already eligible.
Social security tax exemptions
For sectors in difficulty, full-time partial unemployment, that is to say 100% covered by the State, will be reactivated: up to 4.5 times the minimum wage and 80% of the net for employees.
Not surprisingly, social security tax exemptions are also part of the arsenal designed by the Ministry of the Economy.
Until the end of the curfew, administratively closed businesses will thus benefit from a total exemption from their employer social contributions.
Companies in the hotel and catering sector that are located in curfew zones will also be able to benefit from a total exemption from social and employer contributions as soon as they lose 50% of their turnover.
As for employee contributions, the State will provide assistance of up to 20% of the wage bill "
which in reality makes it possible to fully cover the weight of social charges for the entrepreneurs concerned
", assured Bruno Le Maire.
Towards possible deferrals of reimbursement of EMPs
In addition, the mechanism of State guaranteed loans (PGE) is extended until June 30, 2021, instead of December 2020. This cash loan granted by banks at a very low rate to help companies absorb the shock of the health crisis can represent up to 25% of turnover.
90% of its amount is guaranteed by the State.
EMPs are repayable after the first year, but can be extended for five years at rates between 1% and 2.5%.
Read also: Will State Guaranteed Loans Really Be Repaid?
In recent weeks, a few entrepreneurs have demanded that the 122 billion euros in PGE, already granted to nearly 590,000 companies, be canceled.
In other words, that they are not reimbursed, insofar as this crisis is not the fault of companies.
A possibility that is not considered by Bercy.
However, in view of the evolution of the health situation, Bruno Le Maire explained that he had asked the French Banking Federation (FBF) to examine “
a postponement of the repayment of these loans for another year for companies that have had them. really need
”.
In other words, it would mean extending the total loan period by one year (6 years in total) for companies in difficulty.
Another measure to support businesses, direct loans from the State will also be extended until June 30, 2021. A single national telephone number in Bercy will be available within a fortnight in order to provide information to businesses "
which need assistance." direct state aid
”.
The Minister of the Economy raised the subject this Thursday with the president of the FBF Philippe Brassac, also boss of Crédit Agricole SA.
Any postponements must be made on a case-by-case basis.
The question of rents remains to be resolved
The delicate question of rents remains to be resolved.
"
Entrepreneurs are worried about not being able to solve (them)
", explained Bruno Le Maire.
For the rents of small traders, the tenant of Bercy mentioned the possibility of setting up a tax credit for lessors.
A measure defended in particular by the National Federation of Real Estate (FNAI) of Grand Paris, which recommends that the State offer independent landlords not receiving any rent due to health restrictions, a tax credit of up to 50% the amount of rents and charges.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed a government amendment to protect businesses affected by an administrative shutdown or new restrictions from eviction proceedings against them.
The government had offered, at the height of the first wave, between March 12 and June 24, the possibility for companies to defer the payment of rents and charges.
A new insurance plan
Finally, the executive will finalize in the coming weeks a new insurance plan for companies, in order to respond to the various concerns related to the coverage of pandemic risks in insurance contracts.
In recent months, employer representatives and insurers have scrambled somewhat on the subject.
Weakened by health restrictions, restaurateurs are ready to fight against their insurance company to be compensated for their operating losses.
Since the end of April, the ministry has been looking for solutions to reconcile the two camps.
In order not to bear the burden of the crisis alone, the insurance sector wishes in particular to set up a public-private partnership, with financial support from Bercy.
Read also: Insurers do not want to carry (alone) the burden of the pandemic
Aid for individuals too
Reinforced aid for beneficiaries of RSA and APL
During the next six weeks, the most precarious French people will also benefit from increased economic support.
Beneficiaries of RSA and APL will receive aid of 150 euros, with 100 euros more per child, as last spring during confinement.
"
This will affect 4.4 million homes,
" said Jean Castex.
The Prime Minister will make new announcements this Saturday on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The second salary increase planned by Ségur paid "before the end of the year"
The second salary increase for nursing staff will finally be paid "
before the end of the year
".
During the Ségur de la Santé, an increase of more than 200 euros per month was decided for 2 million caregivers.
A first increase of 90 euros had already taken place in September.
While the second installment of 93 euros per month was to take place next March, it will finally come “
before the end of the year
” 2020. In addition, the nursing staff who will renounce their annual leave in the coming weeks, starting with the All Saints holidays, will receive a "
compensatory allowance
" of 110 to 200 euros gross per day, announced the Prime Minister.
