The logistics sector received a high allowance for labour costs compared to other industries. Companies in transport and logistics received 233 million euros from the NOW 2.0 scheme, intended for companies that saw their earnings fall during the corona crisis.
This is according to figures from benefits agency UWV. In the Netherlands, 35,537 employers have so far received more than 1.3 billion euros in wage subsidies. The money from the NOW 2.0 scheme is intended to encourage employers to keep their employees employed. The figures are up to Friday 7 August.
Second place for logistics
Most of the money went to the hospitality, logistics and other commercial services sectors. Other commercial services received 274 million euros. The transport and logistics sector is in second place with 233 million euros in wage subsidies. In third place is hospitality and catering, where 208 million euros went so far.
Looking at the number of companies that received wage subsidies, the top three look different, with logistics falling outside that list. In retail, more companies applied for wage subsidies.
NOW 2.0 scheme
Employers can claim the NOW 2.0 scheme if they suffered a loss of turnover of at least 20 per cent for four months due to COVID-19. They will receive a wage subsidy of up to 90 per cent. The support runs from the beginning of June to the end of September, with around nine hundred companies having their applications rejected. Should it turn out afterwards that a company does not meet the conditions, some or all of the subsidy may have to be repaid.
Image: Marcel Rommens / Shutterstock.com
