Legal Regulation of Employment in Germany and Austria in the Context of a Pandemic

The article reveals the experience of Germany and Austria in the fight against unemployment in the conditions of coronavirus infection in 2019-2022. Against the background of more than one hundred million job losses in the world, these countries, by forming their own domestic economic policy, were able to cope with unemployment with the least losses. Analyzing the experience of Germany, it is noted that the conditions for entering the Kurzarbeit program for employers who retain jobs on reduced working hours have been facilitated, new categories of employed citizens have been included. Under the condition of full employment, employers are paid subsidies that reach 87% of the income of employees. The procedure for the payment of a special allowance (Kurzarbeit) is disclosed. In order for workers not to lose income, a short-term special allowance Kurzarbeitergeld (KUG) was also established in Germany. If the company reduces the number of working hours or sends people on unpaid leave, then the downtime is paid by the state. The article analyzes the Austrian program aimed at overcoming the crisis in the labor market, which includes four main areas aimed at preserving companies and jobs (loans to companies to support their liquidity; reduction of the tax burden; compensation for reduced working hours; special support for small businesses), the implementation of which allowed to get out of the crisis with minimal economic losses. The author makes suggestions about the possibility of using the experience of these countries in the conditions of Russian reality.

employment, unemployment, pandemic, social legislation, social support, labor market, special benefits