The state of emergency and related measures aimed at restricting the spread of COVID-19 are having economic and business impacts. Businesses and sole proprietors have been forced to cease operations and restrict or suspend their activities abroad. Large industrial companies are responding to breakdowns in supply chains by restricting their operations. This is also connected with reduced labour needs and layoffs of foreign workers.
Tripartite talks held on 25 March 2020 reached conclusions calling on employers to comply with the Ten Employment-Related Rules for Combatting the Coronavirus issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs during the state of emergency.
If employers are forced to terminate or not extend employment relationships with foreign employees who are employee-card holders, they must adhere to the procedures and requisites pursuant to the Labour Code. Employers should assist employee-card holders with registration of jobseeker status on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The primary solution is transitioning to new employers having suitable positions for foreign workers. Furthermore, changing employers has been made easier for employee-card holders during the state of emergency; more information is available here.
Employers that do not abide by the principles of equal treatment and other conditions of employing foreigners will be excluded from government-approved visa programmes. Please carefully read the attached Ten Points for Employers of Workers from Third Countries during the State of Emergency.