Calviño takes for granted that the furlough scheme will be extended at least until the end of the year
Parliament validates the decree of the €11bn aid package for businesses and the self-employed
MadridThe Spanish government is committed to extending aid to companies - such as temporary redundancy plans (ERTE) - at least until the end of the year and "as long as necessary", according to the economic vice president, Nadia Calviño. The executive had already advanced that it would extend public aid to pay wages and contributions for workers who are on furlough due to the pandemic beyond May 31, but Calviño has claimed in an intervention in Parliament that employment protection measures will be in force throughout 2021.
Calviño stressed that the state will continue to act as guarantor on company loans and will award the self-employed unemployment benefits, as well as moratoriums on tax payments and interest-free contributions and refunds of mortgage and non-mortgage loans.
On the other hand, Parliament has validated the €11bn aid package for companies and the self-employed affected by the covid crisis by 177 votes in favour, 59 against and 113 abstentions, amid much criticism of Calviño for having left out some sectors and "arriving late". The decree will be processed as a bill, which means modifications are still possible.
