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It was a random decision: last week, the Council of States annulled Corona’s help for the self-employed in much of the Covid-19 law with 20 to 19 votes. Only those affected by a direct ban on the activity should continue to receive income compensation, while those indirectly affected should no longer receive anything.
A slap in the face for tens of thousands of people still struggling with a massive loss of income. The deciding factor for the decision was, in particular, the CVP and some FDP councilors.
Council of States decision corrected
But now the National Council has corrected the verdict of the Council of State. On Tuesday, he upheld his original decision to extend the right to compensation for loss of income for the self-employed, as well as for people in a position similar to that of an employer.
Income compensation should not only be awarded to those who have to interrupt their activities due to the corona pandemic, but also to those who have to “significantly restrict” their activities due to the crown crisis. People with incomes up to 150,000 francs should be eligible. They should receive a maximum compensation of CHF 196 per day. The regulation should seamlessly replace the emergency regulation that expires on Wednesday and will apply until the end of June 2021.
“Tschakka – The National Council corrects the Council of States-Chrüsimüsi,” said SP National Councilor Jacqueline Badran (58, ZH) on Twitter.
SP-Meyer Designs Chancellor
Federal Chancellor Walter Thurnhern (57) campaigned against expansion. In the Council of States he still had a slim majority behind him. There was still a lot of uncertainty about how many people would claim income replacement and for how long. It is also unclear what a “significant restriction” means.
SP National Advisor Mattea Meyer (32, ZH) did not accept Thurnherr’s black paint. He recalled that in the last six months, around 170,000 freelancers claimed compensation for income, worth 1.7 billion Swiss francs. In the future, failures must be proven. The bottom line is that far fewer freelancers would receive compensation. “Now it’s about those who still have empty books,” said Meyer of the chancellor.
The solution was indisputable in the National Council. The chances are high that the Council of States will back down on this issue.
Differences in culture and sport
But it is not the only difference that exists between the two houses of parliament. The National Council wants employees on duty or with a fixed-term employment contract, as well as apprentices, to be entitled to compensation for short-term work. The Council of States also rejects it.
There is not yet an agreement in sight on measures to aid culture. Like the Federal Council, the Council of States wants to contribute 80 million francs to support cultural enterprises during the next year. The National Council wants to speak 100 million francs.
As of yet, there is no consensus on the rules of the game for sports club loans. The National Council wants the federal government to be able to grant subordination. This instrument can be used to save over-indebtedness in the short term. The Council of States is against such subordination. What is clear, however, is that future loans will not be made to leagues, but directly to clubs. These should have to provide a security of 25 percent of the operating expenses of the 2018/19 season.
Clarified hardship clause
It is indisputable that a deprivation clause must be anchored in the law for companies in the event, travel and tourism industries and for showmen. Contributions to perdu funds are also possible. The National Council has specified the corresponding article in the law.
Consequently, the federal government should only pay if the cantons also participate. In the opinion of the great chamber, the eligible companies should be those that were profitable before the crisis and have not already received other federal financial aid. Benefits for short-term work and loss of income, as well as loans guaranteed by Covid, are excluded.
The Council of States will likely discuss the package a second time on Wednesday. It’s the so-called urgent federal law that will likely go into effect this September and largely expire in late 2021.
