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Previously it was proposed to set the minimum amount of a monthly downtime benefit at EUR 130, but at Thursday's meeting the government decided to increase it to EUR 180.

In cases where the amount of downtime pay granted by the State Revenue Service is below the EUR 180 minimum, the State Social Insurance Agency will pay the difference. 

"This is aid to those employees whose employers have not been quite honest," the minister said, explaining that most of the benefits smaller than EUR 200 occur because the employers have not been paying their taxes in full. 

"This is definitely a signal that the tax system should be revised," Petravica said, adding that the situation where people in crisis are left without any means of sustenance is unacceptable. 

As reported, the support mechanism is intended for those who have been denied downtime benefits.

For each child, the downtown benefit will be increased by EUR 50, which means that a person with two kids will receive at least EUR 280 in downtime pay.