The Government has announced a financial aid package which will have a direct impact on employers. The measures were announced on 18 March and, at the time of publication, corresponding legislation had not yet been available. The measures applicable to employers are the following:

1. There will be a flat-rate grant of €350 for each employee that has taken mandatory quarantine leave;

2. Establishments which have had to completely suspend their operations will be reimbursed for 2 days per week salary for each employee calculated on a salary of €800 per month; and

3. Establishments that have suffered reduction in their operations of 25% or more, will be reimbursed for 1 day per week salary for each employee calculated on a salary of €800 per month;

It is important to note that measures will be put in place whereby those enterprises which terminate active employment will be denied the possibility of applying for employees from third countries. Also, the Government has announced that, with immediate effect, it will not be accepting new applications for third country nationals except in the case of highly skilled workers; and those third country nationals who are already in Malta and have been terminated will be given assistance to find alternative employment.

Jobsplus is also requesting employers who are going to dismiss or have recently dismissed employees, including third country nationals, to contact them. It has also launched a service whereby it will offer assistance to employers seeking to recruit.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.