PRISTINA, 03.04.2020 – Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received answer from the offices of Ministry of Finance and Transfers (MFT) regarding the request from AJK about the inclusion of media workers on the Emergency Package.
MFT confirms that media workers are included in the Emergency Package and thus are beneficiaries of financial aid, since media is considered business.
Below you will find clarifications from MFT as to how media workers can benefit from the package:
Item 1.3: Financial support for commerce enterprises that are in financial difficulties from fall of revenues because of the COVID-19 situation in the following situations:
- Coverage of monthly salary expenses of employees in the amount of one hundred and seventy (170 €) euros, for the months of April and May, this amount up to forty-one million (41,000,000.00 €) euros;
- Lease subsidy up to fifty (50%) of the value of the lease for small and medium enterprises, for the month of April and May, until the amount of twelve million (12,000,000.00 €) euros is reached; and
- Coverage of the value of pension contributions for salaries related to the measures provided by this decision for April and May, up to the value of eight million (8,000,000.00 €) euros;
Item 1.10: Financial liquidity insurance:
- Micro-enterprises and self-employed through certain programs of the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund, in the amount of ten thousand (10,000 €) euros for the period of 24 months, in the amount of up to fifteen million (15,000,000.00 €) euros; and
- Commercial Companies / Authorized Companies provide basic services (similar to those of public enterprises) with returns up to 31.12.2020, within the value specified in point 1.4 of this decision;
Item 1.14. Financial support for companies that register employees with an employment contract of at least one (1) year during the emergency period of public health, from one hundred and thirty (130 €) euros for the next two months after registration, worth up to six million (6,000,000.00 €) euro.
In the request dated 28 March 2020, the AJK had requested from the MFT to include in this package; journalists, cameramen, photojournalists and all media workers, as they are on the front line in the battle with pandemic.
AJK reiterates that it is available during this period to find solutions to facilitate the work of our colleagues.