The EU’s job-saving scheme will come too late to make a difference unless it is signed-off this week, trade unions are warning as new data shows 28% workers have lost their jobs temporarily or permanently due to the coronavirus crisis. 
 
Over a month after the 100bn Euro SURE scheme was first proposed, the package should finally face its last hurdle at the European Council’s Coreper meeting of member state ambassadors on Wednesday.
 
Ahead of the meeting, the ETUC is appealing for member states to overcome divisions and  sign-off the scheme as quickly as possible so that it can start on June 1 as promised by European Council President Charles Michel.

The scheme should be focused solely on supporting employment, continue during the recovery and cover all categories of workers. In the meantime, member states must speed up the payment of wage compensation following reports many have still not received a cent.  

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