Dutch government unveils second economic aid package

The second round of aid for Dutch companies is starting, with the government targeting companies whose turnover fell more than 20 percent due to the health crisis. The national employee insurance system will reimburse around 90 percent of salary costs but strings are being attached. For example, companies who receive support cannot pay out dividends or bonuses and if they plan to lay off more than 20 employees, union representatives must be involved.

Failure to involve them could result in a 5 percent reduction in the volume of the subsidy. Companies are expected to encourage employees to undergo training. Nearly 140,000 companies took advantage of the first round of government assistance, according to MKB Nederland, the Dutch association of small and medium-sized enterprises. It expects roughly the same number to apply in the second round.