• Corona short-time allowance rules are no longer in force
• Energy flat rate is paid
• Nursing facilities: Collective wages are becoming mandatory
Corona short-time allowance rules and relief
According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the pandemic-related regulations, which made it easier to access and receive short-time work benefits, will expire on September 30th. This regulation had previously been extended by three months. Until then, it will still be sufficient if at least ten percent of the employees are affected by a loss of work. Otherwise at least one third of the employees must be affected. In addition, employees will not have to build up any negative hours until the regulation expires before short-time work benefits can be paid.
The anwalt.de platform also reports that some other pandemic-related special regulations will expire in September. For example, exceptions to the rules for meetings and resolutions of companies, cooperatives, foundations, associations and homeowners’ associations were created so that personal contacts could be reduced. From the beginning of September, however, these regulations are to expire. From September, such meetings will only be possible in person and no longer as virtual or hybrid meetings.
Energy allowance for employees
Since the prices for energy sources such as gas have recently risen significantly, the state wants to relieve citizens with a one-off payment of an energy flat rate. Persons with unlimited tax liability in tax brackets one to five who are resident in Germany are entitled to the payment of EUR 300. These persons must have been in gainful employment subject to income tax for at least one day in 2022. The energy flat rate is to be paid out by the employer in September with the salary. It should be noted, however, that the energy flat rate is taxable, i.e. the gross amount is 300 euros. The net amount that is received by the individual affected depends on the individual situation.
Nursing facilities: collective wages
The AOK explains on its own website that from September 1st only those care facilities will be approved for care that pay their care and support staff according to collective agreements or church labor law regulations. It is also easy to pay at least the amount of a collective agreement or a church labor law regulation.
Important step for the introduction of the e-prescription
From September 1st, all pharmacies in Germany will be obliged to accept electronic prescriptions. However, the gradual introduction will only begin in practices and hospitals in Westphalia-Lippe on the reporting date. Originally, Schleswig-Holstein was also supposed to start the first phase of the test project, but has now rejected the undertaking. The operator Gematik assumes that the e-prescription could be introduced nationwide in spring 2023. In the past, however, the large-scale digitization project was often characterized by postponements.
Food traceability
According to a statement by the federal government, the obligation to provide information on the traceability of food has been adapted to the applicable EU law. According to this, from September 1st, food companies are obliged to be able to transmit traceability information electronically to the responsible authorities within 24 hours if necessary. As the platform anwalt.de also explains, such companies are considered food companies that “carry out an activity related to the production, processing and distribution of food.” In addition to manufacturers and retailers, this also affects restaurants and canteens.
Visa-free stay for Ukraine refugees
The Berlin-Hilft network explains in a statement that there is a change in the transitional regulation for the stay of Ukraine refugees. Accordingly, as of September 1, refugees from Ukraine may continue to enter the country without a visa, but they are only exempt from the requirement for a residence permit for 90 days after the date of entry. In addition, the visa exemption should be linked to the first entry in order to prevent multiple trips back and forth.
Amazon is turning the price screw for Prime membership
From September 15, the new subscription price for Amazon’s premium service Amazon Prime will also apply. The shipping giant announced back in July that the monthly Prime membership would increase from EUR 7.99 to EUR 8.99, and the annual price from EUR 69.00 to EUR 89.90. Students also have to dig deeper into their pockets. The service includes faster shipping options at no extra cost, access to Prime Video streaming, a selection of free e-books and songs, and exclusive offers.
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