PRAGUE: The Czech government coalition agreed the framework of a new permanent scheme that would partially subsidise salaries of employees on reduced hours, a version of a German short-time work programme, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.
Under the plan, state support would reach 70% of net wages for up to four days a week. The maximum amount would be capped at the national average wage, the ministry said.
It added the support would be activated in times of need when the state saw a real threat to the economy.
The cabinet is due to debate the plan on Friday.
The country of 10.7 million quickly adopted a job furlough programme early on in the coronavirus pandemic as it sought to soften the economic impact from the virus and early lockdowns on businesses.
The jobless rate – the lowest in the European Union going…