VOX in Aragón proposes ERTEs for economic, technical, organizational or production reasons. To do so, it proposes the regulation of an “express procedure” to convert ERTEs by Force Majeure into ERTEs ETOP. That is, for economic, technical, organizational or production reasons. And that they maintain the aid plan of the former.
From VOX, aware that it will be difficult to return to normality, we consider it necessary and urgent to adopt measures that guarantee the reopening and continuity of our productive fabric. In the terms that mark the gradual exit from the confinement and the evolution of COVID-19.
Situation in Aragon
The situation of SMEs, the commerce sector and the self-employed in general and, in particular in Aragon, in relation to the events caused by the spread of COVID-19 is highly worrisome and full of uncertainty.
Faced with the abrupt economic slowdown, with the entry into force of the State of Alarm, thousands of Aragonese companies were forced to close or reduce their business activity. Through ERTES, it has been regulated to try to keep the productive fabric in this complicated situation.
Unfortunately, the measures adopted to protect an important group such as SMEs, Commerce and the Self-Employed in general, have been few and insufficient.
The declaration of the state of alarm and the consequent cessation of activity of many businesses will cause very negative effects for the world economy. And very serious consequences on the economy of the Aragonese.
Specifically, in Aragon, as of April 30, 13,274 ERTEs have been processed, affecting more than 102,076 workers, of which 90.7% are caused by force majeure.
By sectors:
- 80.28% (processed or pending) belong to the service sector
- 12, 35% to the industry
- 7.05% to construction
- the remaining 0.32% to the agricultural sector
In addition to the provisions already established for the processing of ERTEs, other exceptional measures have been added. Awarded to those motivated by COVID-19, such as, among others, the payment of the employer's contribution, or the recognition of the unemployment benefit of the affected workers, even if they lack the minimum period of required employment for this.
Force majeure ERTEs are linked to the duration of the alarm state. So, except for a new extension of the Government, they will expire on May 10. At which time these companies must incorporate 100% of the workforce (at least during the first 6 months), in a situation of uncertainty and with the limitations established by the gradual exit from confinement. That will imply a significant reduction in income and will make it impossible to maintain all of said staff.
Situation, therefore, that will lead many of these companies to request an ERTE for objective reasons (economic, productive …) on the part of the staff. And it will force them to assume the employer's contribution in the percentage established by the labor authority, and the worker to consume their unemployment benefit. And it will force many other companies that cannot assume that employer quota, at the closing.
