Government extends wage supplement by 2 months, shares plan to ease restrictions with MCESD
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Government has announced that its COVID-19 wage supplement, which was originally announced for the months and April will be extended for another two months, covering May and June.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said in a press conference this morning that despite the authorities planning to reduce social restrictions in the coming weeks, Government will continue to support businesses and jobs for two further months as it understood that economic activity will take longer to recover.
The Covid Wage Supplement provides employees with a basic wage cover to address the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full time employees of enterprises operating in sectors that suffered drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had to temporarily suspend operations on the order of the Superintendent of Public Health will be entitled to up to five days’ salary based on a monthly wage of €800. This includes all self-employed. Part-time employees are eligible €500 per month.
Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia said that businesses need to apply by today to apply for the first tranche of supplements. Those applying from next Monday will be eligible for the second tranche only. However, those who had applied for the first tranche will be automatically rolled over and do not need to reapply, but will be solely required to confirm the amounts of employees.
Minister Silvio Schembri also announced that yesterday Government held meetings with MCESD on the “return to a new normality”, which will seek to secure a balancing of economic, social and health concerns. “Government has prepared a plan, which is being discussed with the health authorities with regards to the relaxation of measures, including the re-opening of a number of businesses”, explained Schembri.
