The Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) on Friday adopted the job-retention measure for sectors whose business activities in July have been disrupted due to special circumstances, and 70% or more employees need to have a COVID certificate for an employer to be eligible for full support.

The measure is intended for employers in the transport, storage, hospitality and tourism sectors, said a press release after a meeting of the HZZ Management Board.

The measure also applies to administrative and support service activities, including renting and leasing, travel agencies and tour operators, as well as the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors.

Organisers of cultural, business and sports events, such as fairs and weddings, and related businesses such as companies for equipment rental, audio and video recording, ticket sales, hall rental and other companies that generate most of their income from events are also covered, the HZZ said.

The programme also applies to employers from the earthquake-hit areas of Sisak-Moslavina, Zagreb and Karlovac counties regardless of their sector and drop in turnover in cases where business and production processes are significantly reduced or disabled due to objective reasons.

Employers with 70% and more workers with COVID certificates eligible for 100% support

The HZZ underscored that support for July can be granted to employers for all workers they applied for if 70% or more workers have an EU digital COVID certificate or have met the conditions for obtaining one by 25 August.

On the other hand, if on 25 August fewer than 70% of workers whom the employer applied for have an EU digital COVID certificate or meet the conditions for obtaining one, then the percentage of support can be granted in accordance with the percentage of workers with a COVID certificate.

“For fewer than 70% of COVID certificates, the employer can be granted support proportionally, equal to the share of COVID certificates in the total amount of support,” the HZZ explained.

They stressed that they would acquire the data on the possession of an EU digital COVID certificate or on meeting the conditions for obtaining one by exchanging data with competent bodies.