Breaking news: Coronavirus and the Short-Time Work Allowance. According to the latest statement from the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services, Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, applications for the Short-Time Work Allowance can be submitted electronically starting tomorrow. As part of measures taken against the coronavirus, applications submitted to İŞKUR will be evaluated. Following submitted applications, those approved will receive the short-time work allowance. The allowance will be provided by İŞKUR, affiliated with the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, for employers and employees affected by the coronavirus who have had to close workplaces or reduce operations. Certain conditions must be met to benefit from this allowance.
The Short-Time Work Allowance is implemented under the Unemployment Insurance Law to protect employment. When compelling reasons, regional or sectoral crises cause a significant reduction or halt in workplace activity, payments made to preserve jobs are called short-time work payments. During the non-working period covered by this measure, partial wage payments are made to workers as a short-time work allowance.
What Are the Application Requirements for the Short-Time Work Allowance?
What are the application requirements for the Short-Time Work Allowance? There are specific conditions to apply for the short-time work allowance announced in connection with the coronavirus. Employers who stop production or must close their workplaces due to the coronavirus will receive government support payments. The 600-day requirement for eligibility will be relaxed to provide more flexibility. For businesses that maintain employment during this period, the state will cover 60% of workers’ wages.
For the short-time work allowance described, the payment for minimum wage workers over the last 12 months will be calculated based on the average monthly amount of their insured earnings for the year.
To approve short-time work applications, the requests must be examined and approved by labour inspectors. From the start date of the short-time work period, employees should have at least 600 days of unemployment insurance premium payments within the last three years. The 600 days paid must be confirmed by labour inspectors and the worker’s information must be included in the list of those who will participate in the short-time work scheme.
How to Apply for the Short-Time Work Allowance?
How to apply for the Short-Time Work Allowance? Minister Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk explained how applications should be made, stating that they can be submitted electronically. In her written statement, the minister noted that employers negatively affected by the coronavirus who wish to benefit from the short-time work allowance can apply by sending required documents via specially designated e-mail addresses at İŞKUR Provincial Directorates and Service Centers. She also stated that detailed instructions for applications will be published on the İŞKUR website.