Support for the self-employed, not all: some feel discriminated against

Potter: we do not receive support, we feel discriminated against

Diana Pernavienė, who has been engaged in ceramics in Kaunas for a little over 10 years, said that she has mainly sold products at various fairs, art salons and galleries, but currently the trade has come to a complete halt.

“It just came to our attention then. Even in the summer, there were no tourists, the products were standing, no one was buying, the turnover of the stores that sell this type of products had fallen and reached only 10% last summer, in comparison with 2019, ”he said.

Diana assured that today she will not survive from ceramics, she also receives low income under a work contract, helps to survive and pays the rent for a ceramics studio in Kaunas, and today she does not receive state support.

“The fairs are closed for us, nothing is sold in the stores. Now the ceramics are stopped, we need tourists to buy them, big events, fairs, and that is not going to happen anytime soon.

For me, if the activity were included in the list, this grant of 260 euros would be at least for the maintenance of the rented premises. We can’t even ask for tax deferrals today.

That discrimination, you feel, ”said Diana, comparing the distribution of support with another situation.

“It just came to our knowledge then. It is given to a Lithuanian, to a mathematician and not to a biologist. Why?” He asked.

“We are always promised, let’s say, write to the STI and then the STI will decide if you are eligible for support. But we are autonomous, we should declare income before May 1, but if we apply to the STI, we should attack separately; we could just be on the list and there would be no discrimination, ”said the woman.

According to her, nowadays these craftsmen are not paid attention.

“We have sent letters to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, to the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, but there is a bureaucratic ‘correspondence’,” he said.

Called to the same masters as tailors

Aivaras Norbutas, director of the Association of Masters of Creators, also said that certain activities are not included in the restricted activities list.

“Manufacturers of ceramics, perfumes and toiletries are as artisans as tanners, tailors, jewelers, carpenters, weavers, shoes, that they are on the restricted activities list during a pandemic.

Exactly the same. The latter have also lost the opportunity to sell their products at trade shows, from which they have made a living.

So why did they separate them, the potters and soap makers, from the lepers? Their commercial levels also provide the opportunity to market their products, ”he said.

According to Norbut, this is the government’s greatest injustice and mistake that the government itself is unwilling to acknowledge today.

“It is easier for them to remove the support of others than to admit that they were wrong and that the potters were not included in the list.

We appeal to the ministries, but we don’t take anything. The authorities say that everyone can apply individually, but understand, apply, show that they have suffered a loss, that they are not an elephant … Why is pottery activity in general not included in the lists?

After all, there are many activities that have not stopped at all, such as veterinary medicine and ceramics, no. And for some reason we don’t want to admit it, “he got angry.

Promises to evaluate each case individually

Delfi commented to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (SADM). Edita Banienė, head of its communication department, said that amendments to the legislation are currently being coordinated, which will open the possibility of receiving a lump sum benefit for a wider circle of self-employed.

“The new government aims to direct state support funds to those most affected by the pandemic. The goal is to make the support as targeted as possible.

The Ministry of Social Security and Labor is listening to the fears and anxieties of the self-employed due to the fall in income. Although some freelancers are not restricted in their activities and can work, they face financial difficulties due to the limited activities of their partners.

Legislative changes are currently being coordinated that will open up the possibility of a lump sum benefit for a wider range of self-employed workers.

The case of each self-employed person who is not included in the list of victims of the COVID-19 pandemic published by the STI will be assessed individually. It is planned to evaluate the income received in 2019 and 2020. If 30 percent is established. decrease in income, the self-employed person will receive a grant of 260 EUR. In the near future, the self-employed will be able to apply again for help from the Employment Service. We will inform the public about it ”, he commented.

As explained, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation also has a new tool to support the self-employed.

“Support for individual workers is allocated 30 million euros. This subsidy will amount to 100%. Personal income tax (PIT) paid in 2019. The benefit will be a lump sum and will be awarded in addition to the benefit of 260 euros that are now being transferred to the Employment Service ”, he added.

It is also alleged that the self-employed whose activities are included in the list may not only receive a lump sum benefit, but also benefit from other State aid measures.

“The self-employed may defer contributions to Sodra without interest if their activities are included in the list of victims of the COVID-19 restrictions published by the STI.

The self-employed are temporarily exempt from the payment of the PSD (they must pay contributions for the quarantine period within a period of 2 years). Even without paying the PSD, these people can receive medical attention, ”said the responses.

“The list of affected activities is approved by joint order of the Ministers of Economy and Innovation and Social Security and Labor, but the Ministry of Economy and Innovation could better comment on the criteria on the basis of which the list of freelancers affected by COVID-restrictions. 19 was selected by the STI. “, – was written in the answers.

Based on which the list of activities was drawn up, Delfi told the ministry.

“Ministry of Economy and Innovation and Ministry of Social Security and Labor in 2020. December 30 approved the list of activities for which direct and indirect restrictions were imposed during the quarantine.

Before signing the order, this list was also agreed with the STI and the Ministry of Finance. All the codes were included in this list taking into account the restrictions established during the quarantine and the possibility of operating remotely or the lack of such possibilities ”, commented the representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

Money – if it’s on the list

The wording recalls that as of January 1, 2021, the self-employed whose activities have been restricted due to an emergency and quarantine situation announced by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and are included in the list of restricted activities approved by the Government of the Republic. from Lithuania can receive benefits of 260 EUR.

You can check if an activity is included in the restricted activities list here.

It is expected that, in the event of an emergency or quarantine, the benefit will continue to be paid to the self-employed for a month, after which it will be suspended.

Read more about who may be entitled to the benefit here.

More freelancers will receive a benefit

The Ministry of Social Security and Labor said Monday that some self-employed are facing difficulties due to limited activities of partners.

If a person who is not included in the list of freelancers affected by the COVID-19 restrictions published by the STI has lost 30% of their income during a pandemic, they can claim a flat fee. benefit.

If a self-employed person is not included in the list published by the STI, but has financial difficulties, he must apply to the Employment Service for a lump sum benefit. In particular, the Employment Service will assess whether the self-employed person meets the following conditions:

• Self-employment was registered for at least 3 months in a 12-month period and was not canceled until the date of the declaration of quarantine and emergency.
• The salary received under an employment contract or equivalent legal relationship does not exceed 642 euros on paper.
• If you are a legal entity, you cannot be in bankruptcy or liquidation.

The State Tax Inspection will check if the income of a self-employed person decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. If the income fell by 30 percent. or more, the self-employed will be included in the list published by the STI. A self-employed person who has been included in the list published by the STI after an individual assessment may receive a flat-rate benefit.

Self-employed persons affected by a pandemic must submit a declaration of income received in 2020 to the State Tax Inspection to be included in the list published by the STI.