Belarus Labor Ministry sees increased loss of working hours since Apr 2020
<p> MINSK, Jun 24 - PrimePress. Belarus sees an increased loss of working hours since April 2020, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Irina Kostevich said at the session of the Council of Ministers Presidium held June 23, the government’s press office reports. </p> <p> </p> <p> According to Kostevich, the president instructed to monitor the compliance with employment and labor when it comes to layoffs. Recent data indicate the absence of massive gross violations. However, there has been an increase in the loss of working hours since April. </p> <p> </p> <p> The number of employees working part-time, those on forced leave and staying idle increased in May 2020 from May 2019. “This is a forced response of employers to the breakdown of supply and production chains caused by the pandemic. Such employment regimes allow saving jobs, albeit with a certain decrease in earnings,” said the minister. </p> <p> </p> <p> Partial compensation for lost incomes is provided for by presidential decree No.178, Kostevich said. Forty-four organizations have applied for subsidies to pay their employees. Applications of 14 organizations have been satisfied. Five organizations have been denied subsidies. </p> <p> </p> <p> As reported, decree No.178 of May 28, 2020 envisages subsidies to employers to maintain at least the minimum wage of Br375 ($158.28 at the rate of the National Bank of Belarus) in the event of forced underemployment or downtime from May 1 to July 31, 2020 amid the pandemic. The Ministry of Finance will allocate Br180 million ($75.975 million) to the state extra-budgetary Social Protection Fund for such subsidies. End (Br2.3692/$1) </p>
2020-06-25
Primepress
Belarus Labor Ministry sees increased loss of working hours since Apr 2020
MINSK, Jun 24 - PrimePress. Belarus sees an increased loss of working hours since April 2020, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Irina Kostevich said at the session of the Council of Ministers Presidium held June 23, the government’s press office reports.
According to Kostevich, the president instructed to monitor the compliance with employment and labor when it comes to layoffs. Recent data indicate the absence of massive gross violations. However, there has been an increase in the loss of working hours since April.
The number of employees working part-time, those on forced leave and staying idle increased in May 2020 from May 2019. “This is a forced response of employers to the breakdown of supply and production chains caused by the pandemic. Such employment regimes allow saving jobs, albeit with a certain decrease in earnings,” said the minister.
Partial compensation for lost incomes is provided for by presidential decree No.178, Kostevich said. Forty-four organizations have applied for subsidies to pay their employees. Applications of 14 organizations have been satisfied. Five organizations have been denied subsidies.
As reported, decree No.178 of May 28, 2020 envisages subsidies to employers to maintain at least the minimum wage of Br375 ($158.28 at the rate of the National Bank of Belarus) in the event of forced underemployment or downtime from May 1 to July 31, 2020 amid the pandemic. The Ministry of Finance will allocate Br180 million ($75.975 million) to the state extra-budgetary Social Protection Fund for such subsidies. End (Br2.3692/$1)