New plan of direct aid to the groups most affected by Covid-19

The Government of the Generalitat has activated a new plan of direct and quarterly aid to support the groups and economic sectors most affected by the containment measures of the Covid-19 pandemic for an amount of 618 million euros from January to March, which are added to the 877 million it already provided last year. The initiative, led by the departments of the Vice-presidency and Economy and Finance; Labor, Social Affairs and Families; and Business and Knowledge, has been announced after agreeing it with the Social Dialogue Council of Catalonia, which brings together representatives of the main economic and social associations of the country.

The recipients of these aids are mainly: self-employed workers who have seen their income reduced; micro-enterprises and small companies that have suffered a substantial drop in their turnover and who commit to maintaining jobs; workers who are in a temporary employment regulation file (ERTE); as well as the sectors most affected by the restrictions.

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Reissue of aid to self-employed workers

The new quarterly plan is structured into four main lines of action. The first is a new edition of the aid for the months of November and December for self-employed workers economically affected by Covid-19. The aid will again be 2,000 euros per self-employed worker and will be received by all those who apply and meet the requirements. The Government's estimate is a budget of 280 million euros, so that about 140,000 self-employed workers would benefit.

The aid is aimed at individual self-employed workers or those with up to 5 contracted workers, with an IRPF taxable base in 2019 equal to or less than 35,000 euros/year, and with a net income in 2020 equal to or less than 17,500 euros. These are the same requirements as in the two previous calls and people who already received it and those who perhaps did not meet the requirements then but do now will be able to access it.

The procedure to apply for the aid will be the same as in December: starting from registration in a new database of self-employed workers, which will be activated next February 19, at 9:00 a.m., and will be open until February 26, at 3:00 p.m. It will only be necessary to meet the requirements to register in the database and access the aid directly. This aid is compatible with the rest of the Generalitat's aid with the sole exception of the subsidies from the Department of Labor, Social Affairs and Families to promote self-employment for young people enrolled in the Youth Guarantee program for the year 2020. The order of registration will not determine, in any case, the preference in the granting of the aid.

New and direct aid to workers in ERTE

A new line of direct aid for workers from any sector who are in an ERTE situation is also being launched.

In this case, a budget of 105 million euros will be allocated, with the forecast of reaching approximately 175,000 people. The amount per beneficiary will be a minimum of 600 euros. Registration to access this aid will be activated next February 15, at 9:00 a.m., and will close at 3:00 p.m. on February 25. This aid is compatible with all other Generalitat aid and the order of registration will not determine, in any case, the preference in the granting of the aid.

New aid for the training of workers in ERTE

This training aid is aimed at workers who are in an ERTE situation, prioritizing the most affected sectors. The objective is to recognize the work experience of these workers and help in their possible reorientation and requalification.

25 million euros will be allocated and it is expected to benefit some 10,000 workers in an ERTE situation.

The Department of Labor, Social Affairs and Families will promote a mixed orientation and training program for workers, with the aim of accrediting their competencies or undertaking an accreditable training itinerary. This program will be managed by the Consortium for Continuous Training of Catalonia and will be finalized with economic and social agents.

Aid for small businesses and micro-enterprises in ERTE

Finally, the Govern, through the Department of Business and Knowledge, will allocate 208 million euros to micro-enterprises and small businesses with workers in ERTE status. Specifically, companies with fewer than 50 workers and an annual turnover of up to 10 million euros that have workers in ERTE status as of December 31, 2020, will be eligible.

The aid will consist of 2,000 euros per full-time worker in ERTE status, with a maximum of 30,000 euros per company. The 208 million euros will cover the entire universe of workers in ERTE from micro-enterprises and small businesses, totaling 104,000. To qualify for the aid, the company must commit to maintaining the employment of workers until December 31, 2021. In case of non-compliance, it will lose the entire subsidy.

Applications for aid can be submitted starting next Monday, February 15, at 12:00 p.m., and until the 22nd, at 12:00 p.m. The submission of applications will be done thematically through the Canal Empresa, by filling out the formalized model that can be found on the website of the Consorci de Comerç, Artesania i Moda, the Canal Empresa, or the Departament d'Empresa i Coneixement.

For more information, consult the website economia.gencat.cat.