28 March 2020 – Established wage subsidy for businesses in the Carribean Netherlands

Intervention Categories: Finance policy and financial aid; Stimulus packages and financial support
Level of Jurisdiction: National

Overview: The Dutch Government established a temporary subsidy scheme to prevent unemployment and absorb the loss of income suffered by businesses in Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

Under the scheme, businesses with a loss in turnover of at least 20 percent, can get financial support to pay their employees. Businesses can recieve up to 80 percent of their labour costs for three months (effective from 13 March 2020). This amount must be passed on to their employees as wages. People who are self-employed but no longer have work because of COVID-19, can also apply.

To date, over two thousand businesses have applied for the scheme, and half have already recieved payments to support their employees.
Full details here: https://www.rijksdienstcn.com/covid-19/documenten/besluiten/2020/maart/20/tijdelijke-subsidieregeling-loonkosten-en-inkomensverlies-cn