New support measures are being introduced for employees, other professionals and day laborers. Support measures of 2,500 lei/employee are granted in order to purchase programs and equipment for carrying out the activity through teleworking.
New support measures have been published for employees and employers in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For employees, the possibility of reducing the working time by the employer, to a maximum of 50% during the state of emergency or alert is introduced. This measure is established by decision of the employer for a period of at least 5 consecutive working days and must be communicated to the employee at least 5 days before the application of the measure.
In such a situation, in order to support the employees, in addition to the diminished salary, the employees will benefit from an indemnity of 75% of the difference between the gross salary according to the employment contract and the reduced gross salary. The indemnity will be paid by the employer and settled from unemployment insurance budget, being subject to taxation and social contributions. It is forbidden to recover the allowance from the employee, in case of impossibility to settle from the unemployment insurance budget.
In order to be able to apply the above measure, it must affect at least 10% of the number of employees and the reduction must be justified by a decrease in turnover of at least 10% compared to the same month of the previous year. No collective layoffs can be initiated during this period.
Carrying out the activity during the reduction of the work schedule is sanctioned with a fine of 20,000 lei/employee, limited to a maximum of 200,000 lei in total.
For other professionals – they benefit in a similar situation, from a monthly allowance in the amount of 41.5% of 5,249 lei, i.e. an allowance in the amount of 2,253 lei. This is subject to income tax, CAS and CASS, according to the legal rules applicable to each profession. The duration of the measure will be established by a government decision.
Daily workers receive an allowance of 35% of the remuneration related to the working day for a maximum period of 3 months. This is paid by the beneficiary of the work and is settled from the budget of the Ministry of Labor, being subject to taxation.
Regarding teleworking, a support is provided to employers, in the amount of 2,500 lei per employee for the purchase of technological goods and services.