Ikea will return government aid for short-time working to nine countries

The Swedish furniture giant has announced its intention to reimburse EUR 500,000 to the Portuguese government for the salary support it received from the state to pay Ikea employees who were placed on short time working during the coronavirus pandemic. Under the current short-time working system the state social security scheme pays 2/3 of the salary (reduced by 30%). Ikea has estimated that the upturn in business activity and turnover occurring during the easing of lockdown conditions makes this reimbursement possible. Ikea Portugal employs 2,500 people and owns 5 stores. The group is currently negotiating an identical measure with eight other countries. These are Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Romania, Serbia, and the United States.