Minister of Finance and Transfers Besnik Bislimi explains to citizens and businesses about the emergency package of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo
Dear citizens, Following the publication of the Emergency Package of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for Assistance to address the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic, I have received a number of questions and concerns that mainly address problems related to certain categories.
With a view to contributing as little as possible to reducing uncertainties and at the same time appeasing citizens, let me explain the following:
1. What is the solution offered to employees who work without contract of employment?
EXPLANATION:
1. We are aware that a number of employees are working without employment contracts. This type of engagement takes two forms: either employees work without valid contracts, but the employer regularly pays pension contributions and tax liabilities; or employees are completely engaged in "blackwork". In the first case the lack of contract is very problematic and needs to be addressed, BUT this has no effect on the emergency package. This implies that for us, at this stage, the information that the employer has paid pension contributions and tax liabilities is sufficient, so these employees benefit from the package in all cases where the employer proves the financial difficulties as a result of government measures (point 1.3. 1 of the package).
For those who worked in "black" , the government has opened a window by enabling employers to put these employees on their payrolls for March, and provide them with one-year contracts. Then with immediate effect, these employees become part of the benefits of the package (item 1.14 of the package). If this does not happen, the government encourages employees to report their status to the Kosovo tax administration. If employers prefer to further endanger their activities in "blackwork" and face relevant legal consequences, then affected employees may in certain cases benefit from item 1.15 of the package (see explanation number 3).
2. What is the solution offered to employees who have lost their jobs as a result of government measures?
2. If there are employees who lost their jobs after the announcement of the measures of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in mid-March 2020, then these employees will benefit from the eighth measure of the emergency package in the amount of 130 euros for next three months (always under the assumption that in the meantime they do not create new employment relationships). The Ministry of Finance and Transfers will come out soon with the elaboration of (very simplified) application procedures.The government encourages employers to retain their workforce whenever they can, as those business will benefit in the medium term.
It should also be clarified that this measure is aimed only at those who have lost their jobs as a result of difficulties in coping with the pandemic and not as a result of other problems with the employer or as a result of the termination of existing employment contracts. In case the dismissed employees have been working without employment contracts, then the only option remains the possibility to benefit from measure 15 of the emergency package (See explanation 3).
CLARIFICATION 3
QUESTION:
3. What is the solution offered to employees who have worked on a daily basis (or have no family members who provide income)?
3. This measure seeks to cover that portion of households whose sole source of income is temporary work or engagements in custody work or maintenance work in private households. All of these families can benefit from the 15th measure of the governments emergency package (130 euros for the next three months), if they document that these incomes are the sole source of family income. This implies that applicants must, when submitting their family certificate, prove that none of their members are in regular employment and are not part of any social and pension schemes of the public sector. The verification is done through the database of the tax administration of Kosovo and the Treasury department of the Ministry of Finance and Transfers.
It is very important for citizens to understand that until the publication of the steps to be taken for the application (simplified application and if technically feasible online), they do not need to take any action or visit the institutions in order to report.
4. Are non-governmental organizations as well as religious communities included in the emergency package?
4. Any employer who is staffed with employment contracts and is experiencing difficulties as a result of the measures taken by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo may benefit from emergency package measures. This also applies to NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). This applies to those organizations or communities that have experienced a decrease in their revenues as a result of government-imposed restrictions, BUT cannot be applied to those NGOs operating on donor-funded projects , which finances have not been affected by government measures or decisions.
QUESTION;
5. Are the media included in the Emergency Package of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo?
5. Emergency package measures are targeted at each employee and are not specialized in a particular sector. Consequently all media are treated as businesses and may benefit from government measures (measures 3, 10, or 14).
Besnik Bislimi
Minister of Finance and Transfers