Status: 09/17/2022 02:45 a.m
Federal Minister of Labor Heil has announced that he will consistently implement short-time work if the economic situation continues to deteriorate. He also appealed to employers to make one-off payments.
In the event of a worsening economic crisis, Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to consistently use the instrument of short-time work and then mobilize additional funds for it.
“If the economic crisis should continue to escalate, we will stand by the side of employees and companies with short-time work,” Heil told the editorial network Germany.
In this case, he would “of course talk about money” with Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), added the Labor Minister.
Easier access conditions for the time being until December 31st
On Wednesday, the federal cabinet extended the easing of access to short-time work benefits issued in the wake of the corona pandemic for a further three months, also with a view to the economic effects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
The easier access conditions will continue to apply for the time being until December 31st. So only at least ten percent of the employees in a company have to be affected by the loss of work instead of the usual one third. The build-up of negative working time balances before the payment of short-time work benefits is also still avoided.
The cabinet also passed a drafting aid for the Bundestag for a bill on short-time work benefits, which would also authorize the government to take such action after the turn of the year. This should then continue to be possible by ordinance until June 30, 2023.
Appeal to employer for one-off payment
Heil now emphasized in the RND interview: “Short-time work can and will make an important contribution to getting us through this crisis on the labor market.”
At the same time, Heil appealed to employers to give their employees a one-off payment of up to 3,000 euros. He referred to the offer of the traffic light coalition, according to which no taxes or duties should be levied on a surcharge up to this level. “Companies should use this wherever possible,” said the SPD politician.