The short-time allowance was one of the most important labor market policy tools during the Corona pandemic. Compared to previous years, however, it was used significantly less this year.
Schwerin (dpa/mv) – In 2022 significantly less short-time work benefits were transferred than in previous years. At 63 million euros, the sum was well below the 2021 figure of 572 million euros, as the Regional Directorate North of the employment agency announced. In 2020, in the midst of the corona pandemic, a multiple of 470 million euros was paid out.
Employment agency boss Markus Biercher is nevertheless happy about the extension of easier access until the end of June 2023. “Basically: short-time work benefits are a proven instrument – also in MV, because it is flexible, secures employment and thus prevents unemployment,” he said. Unemployment would be more expensive, he said.
Even if you look at the number of employees, it is clear that significantly less short-time work benefits were used in the year that was coming to an end. The pandemic peak was therefore reached in April 2020, when 87,100 people in 12,900 companies in the north-east benefited from short-time work benefits. In comparison, according to the latest figures from August 2022, only 343 employees in 41 companies were affected.
With regard to the interim increase in short-time work notifications since July, Biercher appeals for this to be viewed in relation: “There is no cause for concern, this is an increase from a very low level”.
