31 March 2020 – Established a wage subsidy

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

Overview: The Dutch Government established a subsidy businesses pay employee wages under a new Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment or NOW (Noodfonds Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid) scheme.

Businesses who expect to lose at least 20 percent or more in turnover from 1 March 2020 or onwards can apply for compensation under the scheme to help pay their employees” wages for up to 6 months. Businesses can claim up to 90 percent of wages, depending on how much turnover they lose.

The scheme replaces the Unemployment Benefit During Short-time Working (WTV or Werktijdverkorting), which was cancelled on 17 March 2020. People who already applied for the WTV permit, will automatically be considered under the new NOW scheme.
Full details here: https://business.gov.nl/subsidy/corona-crisis-temporary-emergency-measure-now/