The government offered to cover half of gross wages of businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic as it tightened restrictions and introduced a curfew in November. It also exempted those businesses from payroll tax, effectively subsidizing two-thirds of payroll costs.
Schanda said more than 16,000 businesses had applied for over HUF 41 billion of the wage support for some 115,000 employees. About 95% of those applications were accepted and 99% of the subsidies, close to HUF 39 bln, have been awarded, he added.
Hungary's government has decided to extend pandemic restrictions, which include an evening curfew, a ban on dining in and the closure of commercial accommodations, until March 15.