Labour Ministry paid out over €1.6 billion to maintain employment

The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry has paid out more than €1.6 billion to employers and self-employed persons affected by the pandemic on the basis of more than 187,000 agreements on aid. Ministry reported these numbers on Wednesday, adding that partial data for March 2021 confirm a jump in the average amount of aid per employee, up to the level of almost €650. The ministry added that employers and sole traders can request a deferral of payments for April. Their maturity has been postponed to June 30. Available data for February and March suggest a further increase in the aid provided per job. While in September the average amount of support per employee was €271, in February and March 2021 it exceeded €600. The increase in the amount of average aid is influenced by the expansion of the group of recipients and the increase in financial contributions through First Aid ++.