Lower-house approves 80 percent reimbursment of private sector wages as part of “Kurzarbeit” scheme

The Chamber of Deputies approved new legislation regarding the so called “Kurzarbeit” scheme on Friday, which reimburses part of the private-sector wages in order to discourage layoffs and limit working hours during the coronavirus epidemic.

The plan would see employees receive at least 80 percent of their salary for periods when they were unable to work. The state would compensate these salaries, paid out by companies, by 80 percent up to the limit of 150 percent of the average national wage.

If approved by the Senate, the legislation could be activated in July.