Country

Descriptive Summary

Belgium

Temporary unemployment available and the associated benefits are increased 65% - 70% (the ceiling being set at ?754.76 per month). Temporary unemployment due to Coronavirus (force majeure) will be extended by 3 months (till June 30, 2020). In addition to the unemployment benefit, workers get an extra ?.63 per day. A professional withholding tax of 26.75% will be deducted from this compensation.

Finland

Workers laid off can claim income-linked benefits, provided they are a member of an unemployment fund through their trade union or independently.

In addition, the government will eliminate the waiting period before people can claim unemployment benefits, and allow freelancers and sole traders to claim unemployment benefits without shutting down their businesses 68.

France

Special unemployment benefits for employees who stop working. The company compensates 70% of gross wages (about 84% of net). Minimum wage earners or less are compensated 100%. The company will be fully reimbursed by the state for those earning up to 6927 euros gross monthly—that is, 4.5x minimum wage 71.

St Kitts and Nevis

Planned injection of EC$12 million ($4.44 million) into the Severance Payments Fund.

Norway

The rate of unemployment benefit for people who are laid off and for those who lose their jobs has been raised to 80% of their income for an income of up to NOK 300,000 ($28,350) and 62.4% of income between NOK 300,000 and NOK 600,000.

The Norwegian government is currently discussing whether to pay unemployment benefits in advance. Thus, those who have lost their income will be able to get money into their account quickly, without having to wait for processing of the unemployment benefit application.