Philenews 19 March 2020
Special sickness allowance
1. Who are the Beneficiaries of the Special Sickness Allowance?
Special sickness allowance will be paid as a part of emergency support measures to:
iii. Persons over the age of 63 up to the age of 65, who do not receive statutory retirement and continue to work and who fall into the categories 1 and 2 of the Ministry of Health, provided that the restricted employees hold a certificate issued by the Ministry Health.
2. Are self-employed workers entitled to special sickness allowance?
Self-employed persons are entitled to the special sickness benefit provided that they fulfill the above conditions. It is noted that for their support purposes, they will be paid, as for employees, from day four.
3. How many days do I qualify for the special sickness benefit?
The special sickness allowance will be paid for the days the applicant is a beneficiary, namely: (a) workers with particular health problems, (b) compulsory absence from work, and (c) persons over 63 years of age. the age of 65. The sickness benefit coverage period expires on 30 April 2020.
4. Will the Social Security Services' own procedures for paying sickness allowance be followed?
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance will follow simplified procedures for the payment of sickness benefit to all
categories of beneficiaries (workers with particular health problems, compulsory absence from work and persons over the age of 63 until the age of 65) . The special sickness allowance will be paid to all beneficiaries, employees and self-employed as of the fourth day.
5. Should the doctor's certificate contain dates of absence from work?
The doctor's certificate should state the medical reasons that are included and are included in the Department of Health's announcement of granting sick leave to vulnerable groups at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus the period of absence from work for sick leave purposes.
License
6. What is a License?
"Special Leave" applies to parents who work in both the Private and Public / Wider Public Sector for the care of children up to 15 years of age (up to third grade of Gymnasium), due to the suspension of school attendance, public and private, in nursery and kindergartens.
It is noted that parents of persons with disabilities are entitled to special leave of independent age, provided that no child care allowance is granted.
The period of special authorization shall be considered as a period of equivalent insurance.
7. How long does the Leave apply and what percentage of the salary does it cover?
The Special Leave may last up to 4 weeks at this stage and does not include holidays, and will be awarded to a parent with a monthly salary of up to € 2,500 (gross) as follows:
For the first € 1,000 of the parent's salary will be paid ' 60% of his salary and for the next € 1,000 of his salary, a 40% allowance will be paid. It is noted that in the case of single parent families, the rate of payment of the benefit varies between 70% and 50% respectively.
The Eligibility Benefit Coverage Period expires on April 30, 2020.
It is emphasized that the said permit will be granted if the nature of their work does not permit teleworking or working from home or flexible working hours and if there is no internal assistance. The permit will be granted in consultation with the employer upon request.
13. What is a Job Suspension Plan?
For those businesses that have decided to suspend their operations and for those businesses that continue to operate and suffer a turnover of more than 25%, a Business Suspension Plan is in place to avoid layoffs and at the same time affected employees will receive an unemployment allowance for as long as the business is suspended.
In order for the Work Suspension Plan to apply to an enterprise, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance, stating the terms and conditions for participation in the Plan. Companies that make any redundancies will not be able to participate in the Plan.
14. Will those who are recently hired and do not qualify for insurance receive an unemployment benefit under a Suspension Plan?
No, these cases did not qualify for the unemployment benefit. The affected persons may submit an application, which will be examined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the particular characteristics of each case.
15. How does a 25% turnover decrease prove?
A standardized certification will be submitted by the company's certified auditors who, after studying the data for the corresponding period of the previous year and based on all available data on the applicable status and type and activities of the business, will certify the estimated and / or existing turnover decline for March and April 2020. In the case of businesses not operating during the corresponding period of the previous year, the comparison will be century the immediately previous months.
16. I work in a company that is subject to a compulsory moratorium (kindergarten, tutoring). Can I participate in a Suspension Plan?
The Compulsory Suspension Plan has the potential to involve both compulsory suspended companies as listed in the Decrees of the Minister of Health posted at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus, as well as businesses that will be subject to significant turnover reductions (in addition to 25%), which do not fall under the economic activities included in the relevant Decrees of the Minister of Health.
18. Will rents for compulsory suspension companies also be covered?
The Suspension Plan covers salaries of business employees and not any operating expenses. Therefore, it does not cover rentals.
A list of the main questions related to the support program for the coronary impacts was issued by the Ministry of Labor, with answers to the beneficiaries of the special allowance.
Special sickness allowance will be paid as a part of emergency support measures to:
i. workers who have particular health problems and are on the List published by the Ministry of Health, who must be absent from work for the purpose of protecting their health and not deteriorating it. Provision of a certificate by their personal physician is required.
ii. Cases of compulsory absence from work by persons instructed or instructed by the Authorities (Category 1 [compulsory restraint under medical supervision (quarantine)] and Category 2 [self-restraint under telephone surveillance]), provided that restricted employees hold a certificate issued by the Ministry of Health.
iii. Persons over the age of 63 up to the age of 65, who do not receive statutory retirement and continue to work and who fall into the categories 1 and 2 of the Ministry of Health, provided that the restricted employees hold a certificate issued by the Ministry Health.
2. Are self-employed workers entitled to special sickness allowance?
Self-employed persons are entitled to the special sickness benefit provided that they fulfill the above conditions. It is noted that for their support purposes, they will be paid, as for employees, from day four.
3. How many days do I qualify for the special sickness benefit?
The special sickness allowance will be paid for the days the applicant is a beneficiary, namely: (a) workers with particular health problems, (b) compulsory absence from work, and (c) persons over 63 years of age. the age of 65. The sickness benefit coverage period expires on 30 April 2020.
4. Will the Social Security Services' own procedures for paying sickness allowance be followed?
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance will follow simplified procedures for the payment of sickness benefit to all
categories of beneficiaries (workers with particular health problems, compulsory absence from work and persons over the age of 63 until the age of 65) . The special sickness allowance will be paid to all beneficiaries, employees and self-employed as of the fourth day.
5. Should the doctor's certificate contain dates of absence from work?
The doctor's certificate should state the medical reasons that are included and are included in the Department of Health's announcement of granting sick leave to vulnerable groups at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus the period of absence from work for sick leave purposes.
License
6. What is a License?
"Special Leave" applies to parents who work in both the Private and Public / Wider Public Sector for the care of children up to 15 years of age (up to third grade of Gymnasium), due to the suspension of school attendance, public and private, in nursery and kindergartens.
It is noted that parents of persons with disabilities are entitled to special leave of independent age, provided that no child care allowance is granted.
The period of special authorization shall be considered as a period of equivalent insurance.
7. How long does the Leave apply and what percentage of the salary does it cover?
The Special Leave may last up to 4 weeks at this stage and does not include holidays, and will be awarded to a parent with a monthly salary of up to € 2,500 (gross) as follows:
For the first € 1,000 of the parent's salary will be paid ' 60% of his salary and for the next € 1,000 of his salary, a 40% allowance will be paid. It is noted that in the case of single parent families, the rate of payment of the benefit varies between 70% and 50% respectively.
The Eligibility Benefit Coverage Period expires on April 30, 2020.
8. What are the conditions for granting it?
The permit is granted to a parent with a monthly salary of up to € 2,500 (gross). A parent with a salary exceeding € 2,500 (gross) is not entitled to special leave.
The permit will be granted to one of the two parents and if one parent receives the said permit, the other cannot obtain a corresponding permit at the same time. Also, if one parent works / receives an unemployment allowance / participates in a Work Suspension Plan and the other does not, the working parent is not
entitled to it unless the parent who is not working has himself or herself been infected with the virus or is hospitalized or is a disabled person. or is a compulsory person.
The permit is granted to a parent with a monthly salary of up to € 2,500 (gross). A parent with a salary exceeding € 2,500 (gross) is not entitled to special leave.
The permit will be granted to one of the two parents and if one parent receives the said permit, the other cannot obtain a corresponding permit at the same time. Also, if one parent works / receives an unemployment allowance / participates in a Work Suspension Plan and the other does not, the working parent is not
entitled to it unless the parent who is not working has himself or herself been infected with the virus or is hospitalized or is a disabled person. or is a compulsory person.
It is emphasized that the said permit will be granted if the nature of their work does not permit teleworking or working from home or flexible working hours and if there is no internal assistance. The permit will be granted in consultation with the employer upon request.
9. Will the employer pay the rest of the special leave?
The special leave provides for a parent with a salary of up to € 2,500 (gross) as follows: for the first € 1,000 of the parent's salary a 'special leave' allowance of 60% of the salary will be paid and for the subsequent € 1,000 of his / her salary, 40% allowance paid. In the case of single parent families, the rate of payment of the benefit varies between 70% and 50% respectively.
The employer will not pay the rest of the salary.
Any employee can also take advantage of the vacation leave he has in his credit.
The special leave provides for a parent with a salary of up to € 2,500 (gross) as follows: for the first € 1,000 of the parent's salary a 'special leave' allowance of 60% of the salary will be paid and for the subsequent € 1,000 of his / her salary, 40% allowance paid. In the case of single parent families, the rate of payment of the benefit varies between 70% and 50% respectively.
The employer will not pay the rest of the salary.
Any employee can also take advantage of the vacation leave he has in his credit.
10. Should the special permit be continuously obtained?
The special leave will be granted for a period of up to 4 weeks and may be obtained either continuously or in part in consultation with the employer. The parent must apply separately for each period that he or she wishes to obtain a special permit.
The special leave will be granted for a period of up to 4 weeks and may be obtained either continuously or in part in consultation with the employer. The parent must apply separately for each period that he or she wishes to obtain a special permit.
11. Can I get a special permit for a spouse / parent in a vulnerable group (eg pregnant spouse)?
Special leave is only granted for the care of children up to 15 years of age. In the case of children with disabilities, special leave is granted regardless of the age of the child.
However, if there is no care for the parent / spouse in a vulnerable group as defined by the Ministry of Health, an application may be made on the basis of its particular characteristics. The same procedure will apply in cases where an employee's spouse is pregnant.
Special leave is only granted for the care of children up to 15 years of age. In the case of children with disabilities, special leave is granted regardless of the age of the child.
However, if there is no care for the parent / spouse in a vulnerable group as defined by the Ministry of Health, an application may be made on the basis of its particular characteristics. The same procedure will apply in cases where an employee's spouse is pregnant.
12. Does the special permit only apply to full-time employees?
Full and part-time employees as well as shift workers (shift work) are entitled to special leave. It concerns private and public servants in the Public and Wider Public Sector. It is not about self-employed workers.
Suspension Plan
Full and part-time employees as well as shift workers (shift work) are entitled to special leave. It concerns private and public servants in the Public and Wider Public Sector. It is not about self-employed workers.
Suspension Plan
13. What is a Job Suspension Plan?
For those businesses that have decided to suspend their operations and for those businesses that continue to operate and suffer a turnover of more than 25%, a Business Suspension Plan is in place to avoid layoffs and at the same time affected employees will receive an unemployment allowance for as long as the business is suspended.
In order for the Work Suspension Plan to apply to an enterprise, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance, stating the terms and conditions for participation in the Plan. Companies that make any redundancies will not be able to participate in the Plan.
14. Will those who are recently hired and do not qualify for insurance receive an unemployment benefit under a Suspension Plan?
No, these cases did not qualify for the unemployment benefit. The affected persons may submit an application, which will be examined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the particular characteristics of each case.
15. How does a 25% turnover decrease prove?
A standardized certification will be submitted by the company's certified auditors who, after studying the data for the corresponding period of the previous year and based on all available data on the applicable status and type and activities of the business, will certify the estimated and / or existing turnover decline for March and April 2020. In the case of businesses not operating during the corresponding period of the previous year, the comparison will be century the immediately previous months.
16. I work in a company that is subject to a compulsory moratorium (kindergarten, tutoring). Can I participate in a Suspension Plan?
The Compulsory Suspension Plan has the potential to involve both compulsory suspended companies as listed in the Decrees of the Minister of Health posted at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus, as well as businesses that will be subject to significant turnover reductions (in addition to 25%), which do not fall under the economic activities included in the relevant Decrees of the Minister of Health.
17. Are employees entitled to an unemployment allowance for undertakings participating in Work Suspension Plans and employing third-country nationals or seasonal workers?
Third-country nationals and seasonal workers are entitled to the allowance, provided that they hold relevant residence and work permits in the Republic of Cyprus and fulfill the insurance requirements.
Third-country nationals and seasonal workers are entitled to the allowance, provided that they hold relevant residence and work permits in the Republic of Cyprus and fulfill the insurance requirements.
18. Will rents for compulsory suspension companies also be covered?
The Suspension Plan covers salaries of business employees and not any operating expenses. Therefore, it does not cover rentals.
General Questions
19. What will be the procedure for granting the above allowances?
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security will announce within the next few days the application process, which will be done electronically and will be simple and concise, with a view to paying the benefits as soon as possible. It is noted that applications will be submitted electronically for all the above measures.
19. What will be the procedure for granting the above allowances?
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security will announce within the next few days the application process, which will be done electronically and will be simple and concise, with a view to paying the benefits as soon as possible. It is noted that applications will be submitted electronically for all the above measures.
20. Will the duration of the unemployed be extended because of the emergency?
At this stage, all studies and measures will be taken for the period up to 30 April 2020. The measures will be monitored and re-evaluated if necessary.
At this stage, all studies and measures will be taken for the period up to 30 April 2020. The measures will be monitored and re-evaluated if necessary.
21. Is there a measure for extending the repayment of outstanding contributions (current, overdue, overdue) to the Social Security Fund?
There is no measure to extend the repayment of contributions due.
There is no measure to extend the repayment of contributions due.
22. Is there any measure in support of Self-employed?
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security is considering ways to support self-employed persons who fall into specific categories of economic activity. There will be announcements soon.
The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security is considering ways to support self-employed persons who fall into specific categories of economic activity. There will be announcements soon.
23. Until when can self-employed workers object to Social Security Services?
The time period for filing complaints with self-employed workers was extended to one month, that is, until 30 April 2020 (instead of 31 March 2020).
The time period for filing complaints with self-employed workers was extended to one month, that is, until 30 April 2020 (instead of 31 March 2020).
24. How can I find out which economic activities are mandatory suspended?
The economic activities that compulsorily suspend their operation are set out in a decree of the competent Minister of Health, available at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus
The economic activities that compulsorily suspend their operation are set out in a decree of the competent Minister of Health, available at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus
25. Complaints about possible violations of the measures:
Depending on the issue, citizens may address their complaints as follows:
- Complaints regarding violations of the Minister of Health's Decree should be reported to the Police.
- Complaints about the violation of workers' rights as a result of the measures announced should be lodged with the Labor Relations Department (Nicosia: 22803100/22803127, Limassol: 25819440/22819820, Larnaca: 24817800/248178/248178 26826640 and email: info@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy) and the Single Inspection Service (tel: 77778577 and email: aapostolou@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy).
Depending on the issue, citizens may address their complaints as follows:
- Complaints regarding violations of the Minister of Health's Decree should be reported to the Police.
- Complaints about the violation of workers' rights as a result of the measures announced should be lodged with the Labor Relations Department (Nicosia: 22803100/22803127, Limassol: 25819440/22819820, Larnaca: 24817800/248178/248178 26826640 and email: info@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy) and the Single Inspection Service (tel: 77778577 and email: aapostolou@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy).
