Netherlands: special Covid-19 short-time working scheme introduced

The Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment, which has been given the Dutch acronym NOW, was introduced on 17 March, the same day that the government announced a package of measures to tackle the coronavirus crisis. NOW replaces the short-time working scheme that had been in force and provides for compensation, paid by the state, which varies according to the loss of turnover experienced: 90% of salary if the loss is 100%; 45% to cover a 50% loss; 22.5% of salary if the loss is 25%. Upon application, the unemployment insurance agency (UWV) will pay an advance of 80% of the expected compensation and the actual loss of turnover will be determined subsequently, so any adjustments can be made. Another new feature is that this scheme applies to temporary workers and staff employed on zero-hour contracts. Precise information is available in English on this page.