Background information

In the Resolution 400,16 March 2020, the Storting asked the government to temporarily ensure that the receivers of time-limited benefits could continue to receive benefits during the pandemic crisis, when the labour market is poor. To ensure that no one loses unemployment benefits during a very difficult period in the labour market and to prevent redundancies, the period the unemployed can receive unemployment benefits is extended until 30 June.

Content of measure

Under the current regulations related to the lay-off pay law, employees can receive unemployment benefits for 26 weeks within the last 18-month period. At the end of 26 weeks, the employer's pay obligation re-enters. From the social partners it has been pointed out that some laid-off workers are approaching the 26-week limit. In today's situation, they will probably be dismissed because the employer is unable to take them back into regular work. The opportunity to get a new job is small, so they will have to reapply for unemployment benefits as ordinary unemployed. To avoid this situation, the period the unemployed can receive unemployment benefits is extended until 30 June.

Use of measure

No information to date.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Unemployed	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public employment service	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners took initiative and have been consulted regularly during design and implementation of the measure.

Views and reactions

The social partners are supportive of the measure.

Sources

• 20 March 2020: Prop 67 S (2019–2020) Endringer i statsbudsjettet 2020 (www.regjeringen.no)