Self-employed persons without personnel (self-employed persons) and entrepreneurs who are directly affected by the corona crisis must have some patience before they can use the emergency measures announced on Tuesday.
“These are arrangements that we normally take seven to eight months to complete, and we are now starting to get started in one to one and a half weeks,” said Koolmees during a debate on the corona crisis on Wednesday evening.
“It is very fast, but it has to be done carefully.” The cabinet presented an emergency package of some 10 to 20 billion euros for the next three months.
This is the measure for self-employed persons who can supplement their income to social assistance level if they have little or no income due to the corona crisis. Self-employed people can register with their municipalities for this.
Also for the entrepreneurs who apply for a wage subsidy for staff who are at home because of the virus, we have to wait a while. A new scheme is also being made for them, because the old measure, the reduction of working hours, could no longer handle the enormous amount of applications. Entrepreneurs will soon be able to contact the UWV benefits agency
Both schemes will take effect retroactively from March 1, 2020. “The most important thing is that people get their money as soon as possible,” said Koolmees. “We need a few weeks to work this out.”
The instrument of 4,000 euros will also last a few more weeks
Minister Eric Wiebes (Economic Affairs) had the same message for entrepreneurs who qualify for the 4,000 euros because they were directly hit by the corona crisis, such as the catering industry and the cultural sector. “It will be all right within a few weeks,” Wiebes said.
This measure is in addition to the wage subsidy, because for example an owner of a coffee shop can keep his staff in service, but also has to pay the rent.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in our live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads through sneezes and cough drops. The virus can be transmitted directly from person to person or (for a limited time) through surfaces such as door handles.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Nearly all deaths involve the elderly or other frail, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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