The government plans to create a new subsidy system to supplement the salaries of guardians who have to take time off to care for children because the children's schools are temporarily closed due to the new coronavirus.
The system would help guardians take paid leave, regardless of the type of work contract they are on, or the size of their company.
The new system is intended to help guardians with children who go to elementary schools, special-needs schools up to the high school level, kindergartens, nursery schools and certified daycare centers that have closed in response to the government's request.
They would be paid for the wages lost to take time off work to care for these children from Feb. 27 to March 31.
The main objective is to provide assistance to guardians caring for elementary school students and others who would be difficult to leave home alone. Therefore, guardians of junior and senior high school students would not be eligible.
The subsidies would be separate from regular paid leave. Under the system, guardians would take paid leave, then their employers would be paid by the government for these wages, at a maximum of 8,330 yen per day. Anything over that amount would be paid by the company.
In addition, guardians whose children's schools are not closed, and whose children show symptoms of the common cold and might be infected, or who actually are infected, would also be covered.
Freelancers not eligible
The new system will apply to all workers who are enrolled in unemployment insurance, regardless of whether they are regular or irregular employees. It is to be funded by the portion of unemployment insurance employers pay.
Workers who are not enrolled in unemployment insurance, such as people who work less than 20 hours per week, may still receive assistance from the government's general account.
Because these subsidies are designed to come from the employer, freelancers and other individual owner-managers or self-employed people will not be eligible. The government plans to set up a managerial consultation desk and other measures for these workers.
Guardians who for whatever reason cannot take time off work are to receive extra support.
The Cabinet Office subsidizes payments companies make for babysitters for their employees. These are usually 52,800 yen per month, but during March this will be raised to 264,000 yen.
Furthermore, while some companies are having their employees work from home, since this is not considered leave, these workers will not be eligible for the new system.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
