Employment adjustment subsidies, unemployment benefits expanded
Japan's labour ministry is expanding its employment adjustment subsidies to assist organisations affected in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake early this month, according to reports.
NHK World-Japan reported that the ministry is implementing a special measure to assist organisations that saw their sales decrease by 10% or more in their most recent month of business, regardless of location.
Under the measure, small- and medium-sized firms may receive up to 80% of the subsidy rate, while larger firms may receive up to 70%.
The ministry is also expanding the duration of the benefit from 100 days to 300 days, according to the report.
Employers eligible for the subsidies can reach out to their local labour bureau or Hello Work stations.
Japan's Employment Adjustment Subsidy was implemented in Japan to incentivise employers to maintain recruitment, according to a previous analysis from the International Labour Organisation.
The scheme reimburses a portion of what an employer paid as leave compensation, depending on the employer's commitment to continuing employment after a temporary reduction or suspension of business.
"The subsidy aims to maintain employment by reducing the financial burden faced by employers with regard to the payment of leave compensation," the report said.
Meanwhile, Japan's labour ministry is also extending unemployment benefits for employees in areas most affected by the earthquake, including Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama, and Niigata Prefectures.
NHK World-Japan reported that the ministry is expanding the benefit even to employees there who have not left their jobs.
Employees eligible for the subsidies may also reach out to their local labour bureau or Hello Work stations.
The special measures come after the Japanese government declared last week the Noto Peninsula Earthquake as an "extremely severe disaster."
Under this designation, subsidies ratio for road and farmland restoration will be increased, while financial burden on affected municipalities will be reduced without limitations, The Japan News reported.
Japan was struck with a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that has left over 200 people dead, over a thousand people injured, and more than 20 people missing.
