The Union of Employers of Serbia announced today that their survey showed that 92 percent of companies had employees on sick leave for covid 19 in the previous two months, and that 72 percent of employers paid the full amount of salary during that sick leave.
As it was stated, in micro and small companies, 81 percent of employers paid the full amount.
The Union of Employers of Serbia conducted the survey on a sample of almost 300 owners and directors of companies of all sizes.
“In 65 percent of the surveyed companies, there was a loss due to the absence of employees due to covid, mostly in the manufacturing industry, and measured by the size of the company, micro companies were the most affected,” the statement said.
It was added that in three quarters of employers, the sick leave of employees lasted up to three weeks, and in one quarter even longer.
When asked how they solved the problem of missing workers, 72 percent of respondents decided to redistribute work among the remaining employees, 15 percent had to reduce the volume of business, and eight percent hired new workers.
Some have shortened working hours or sent employees to work from home.
“In comments on the current situation and the government’s recommendation that companies pay full wages to workers suffering from covid, the vast majority of entrepreneurs consider it illogical to differentiate between workers with different diagnoses, some of which are far more serious than covid,” said the Union of Employers.
Employers recommended that the competent authorities adopt and implement a clear strategy in the fight against the pandemic and work intensively on vaccinations, as well as that employers should pay 65 percent of the salary provided by the law for covid patients, and the rest should be paid by the state.
They also recommended that tax liabilities be reduced and deadlines for their payment be postponed, Danas writes.
