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Being let go but the company is getting 9000/month from the gov't?

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
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    Being let go but the company is getting 9000/month from the gov't?

    Hi everyone,

    I've heard that the government isn't allowing businesses to lay off staff if they're receiving the $9000/month government covid funding till October? Are there any clauses around that that would allow them to lay off staff?

    Asking for a friend who may be getting let go.

    Last edited by Swimup; 05-07-2020 at 10:35 AM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Companies can still lay people off, as long as they a) hire someone so their total employment numbers stay the same, or b) pay a penalty - which can be as small as repaying 10% of the $9000 for a small company.

    Did my partner's 5-person company lay someone off last month? Yes they did!
    Did they take the $9000? Yes they did!
    Did they put their part-time cleaner on MPF for this year so they had the same number of employees? Yes they did!


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
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    Quote Originally Posted by vmlinuz:
    Companies can still lay people off, as long as they a) hire someone so their total employment numbers stay the same, or b) pay a penalty - which can be as small as repaying 10% of the $9000 for a small company.

    Did my partner's 5-person company lay someone off last month? Yes they did!
    Did they take the $9000? Yes they did!
    Did they put their part-time cleaner on MPF for this year so they had the same number of employees? Yes they did!
    Thanks for the feedback

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by LaurieP:
    Please could you tell me about the $9000 Government funding - I am a small business operator and wasn't aware of this or if I am eligible. Thanks!
    https://www.ess.gov.hk/en/
    shri likes this.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by LaurieP:
    Please could you tell me about the $9000 Government funding - I am a small business operator and wasn't aware of this or if I am eligible. Thanks!
    We've got a summary on here :

    https://geoexpat.com/forum/415/thread356299.html

    Depending on what sort of business you run, how you're structured etc... their might be more or less available to you.