European Commission announces 'short time work' scheme SURE

In a video address, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the idea behind SURE was simple. She added: “If there are no orders and companies run out of work because of a temporary external shock like corona, they should not lay-off their workers. They continue to employ them even if there is less work.”

As part of the scheme, Von der Leyen added that workers, in their spare time, “might be taught, for example, new skills that will benefit both the company and themselves”.

The scheme would enable workers to continue to pay their rents and buy what they need and would also have a “positive impact on the economy”, Von der Leyen said.

She added that SURE would mean more people would keep their jobs during the coronavirus crisis and they will go back to “full work” as soon as the lockdown is over when demand picks up again and the orders come back.

Von der Leyen said the European Commission would this week propose a new instrument to support short time work. “Members who had this instrument helped millions of people to stay in their jobs and companies to go through the financial crisis with their employees.”

She added that SURE was crucial to “restart Europe’s economic engine without delay”.

Von der Leyen said that SURE was guaranteed by all member states and that it was “European solidarity in action”.