Subsidies will help 'keep employers attached to employees'

The Minister for Social Development ​Carmel Sepuloni says the aim of the government's multi-billion dollar economic rescue package is to help businesses out so they can continue to employ workers.

Speaking on Pacific Breakfast, she said: "We want to keep employers attached to their employees."

The nationwide lockdown begins just before midnight tonight and will last for at least four weeks. It will severely affect businesses, employers and employees.

However, subsidies are available through the $12.1 billion Economic Response Package.

Sepuloni says the wage subsidy is available for businesses, contractors, sole traders, the self-employed, commercial and non-for profit organisations.

"This will help them continue to pay people that work for them over this period.

"It may not be the full rate, but we've asked for best endeavours at 80 per cent," she says.

Sepuloni says the goal of the wage subsidy is to ease the transition of business by the end of the self-isolation period.

HELPFUL WEBSITES AND HELPLINES:

Employee and Employer support:

For employers or employees there are available subsidies that can be accessed.

Use the Work and Income website as the first point of contact.

www.workandincome.govt.nz

Work and Income helpline: 0800 559 009

Use the helpline if you lose your job and think you might need support from Work and Income.

For COVID-19 updates, resources, language translation and information about available support services:​

www.covid19.govt.nz

COVID-19 Helpline: 0800 358 5453

This number should only be used by people displaying coronavirus symptoms, who have recently been overseas, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19​.