Companies which took advantage of the government’s short-time working scheme (wtc) during the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 did no better than those that chose not to take part, government research showed on Monday.

The scheme allowed companies to place their workers on unemployment benefit for a six-week period without having to sack them. The companies themselves topped up wages to 100%.
The research shows that companies which used the scheme did not do ‘any better than those which did not use the crisis measure’ when it came to restoring turnover and keeping employees once the crisis receded, reports news agency Novum.
Employers who used the scheme are still positive about its effects, with 75% saying it preserved jobs, knowledge and experience. However, employees are less enthusiastic, with only one-third of respondents saying their job would have disappeared without the scheme.
The government set aside €200m to fund the scheme, enough for 20,000 workers. It eventually cost €760m for nearly 122,000 workers.