New support measures for April – What applies to the Easter bonus

Additional interventions of €1 billion for the month of April, the Finance Minister announced, Christos Staikouras. The total package of support measures is expected to exceed EUR 14 billion in 2021. «We will continue to support the economy and society as the evolution of the health crisis dictates,» the finance minister said.

Details of the additional measures for April announced by Christos Staikouras:

1. Suspension of payment of instalments for tax debts, by postponing the payment of the instalment to the end of the arrangement.
2. Zero rents in April for the 200,000 that remain closed. Affected businesses (based on the CDR) will continue to give 40% reduced rent to landlords next month. Property owners will be compensated by the state of 80% of the losses they will suffer. For affected businesses, the 40% deduction will apply with the 50% replenishment of the loss.
3. Payment of double compensation to property owners for the months of February and March. Especially for March, no Covid declaration is required under certain conditions.
4. Freezing of cheques, and suspension of VAT payment for the bearers of the securities by 30 days from the indicated date until the end of April
5. The start of the mandatory digital transmission of my data documents is postponed to 1 July 2021.
6. Payment of the allowance of €534 per month to suspended workers in closed and affected enterprises, on a pro rata basis for the period they are out of work, with the public sector covering the social security contributions. The same criteria that applied in March will apply. The cost of the measure amounts to EUR 330 million
7. Easter gift for the period January-April 2021.The cost amounts to €210 million.
8. Employer contribution subsidies for workers in twelve-month hotel stays until June 2021
9. Artists will also receive a special purpose allowance for the month of March
10. Subsidies to cultural enterprises for vacancies in theatres etc.
11. Tourist guides and escorts will receive a special allowance for the month of March
12. Extension of the “SYN-GERGY” programme until June 2021
13. Extension of unemployment benefits for two months

Kostis Hatzidakis: The Greek state stands up to the circumstances

«With the measures we are announcing today and those that preceded them in the last twelve months, the Greek state is rising to the occasion. It is responding to the needs of the economy and society created by the pandemic. I recall that our country had the second best performance in Europe in terms of containing unemployment last year. This was achieved thanks to the measures adopted by the government as a whole and the Ministry of Labour in particular,» the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs said, Kostis Hadjidakis.

«While we are preparing for the next day and the demobilisation of the economy, we are maintaining the protective regulations for workers and the unemployed for the coming month of April, as the epidemiological data do not yet allow their removal. With the measures we are announcing today for April, the budget for the safety net from the Ministry of Labour alone exceeds 7.1 billion euros, while the beneficiaries - from the actions of our ministry alone - exceed 3 million,» he said.

The measures for April have an estimated cost of €695 million and include:

• Workers in companies throughout the country who are significantly affected may be temporarily suspended from their employment contracts and are entitled to special-purpose compensation, pro rata for the period of suspension, calculated on the basis of EUR 534 per month. For the above period, the full social security contributions, calculated on the basis of the nominal salary, shall be covered by the State budget on a pro rata basis.
• For April, the extended list of the March CODs will continue to be used for the affected enterprises with the same criteria that applied in March and for the enterprises that remain closed by order of a public authority, without any criteria for inclusion in the measure of suspension of the employment contracts of their employees. Cost of EUR 330 million.
• Given at Easter gift on the special purpose allowance, in proportion to the days of suspension, for the period January-April 2021. Cost of EUR 210 million.
• For the affected businesses, the payment of not only confirmed tax but also confirmed social security contributions will be suspended for one month.
• Employers' insurance contributions for employees in hotels operating for 12 months are subsidised until June 2021. Cost for an additional three months: €3 million.
• Artists on the artists' register will receive a special purpose allowance for March 2021 as well. Cost €16 million.
• The cultural subsidy for vacancies in theatres, cinemas, music stages and concert and performance venues continues until March 2021. The cost of the additional three months amounts to €19 million.
• Professions in special categories of tourism (tour guides, tourist escorts, etc.) will receive a special purpose allowance of €534 in March 2021. Cost of around €1 million.
• Unemployment benefits expiring by the end of March are given a two-month extension. Cost €77 million.
• The Co-operation measure is extended until June 2021. An Easter gift is given on top of the aid paid to those who participated in the Programme in the period January - April 2021. Estimated cost: €38 million.