Chile: Interpretation of COVID-19 Employment Protection Laws
Employment Protection Law. COVID-19. Interpretation by the Department of Labour.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, Chile implemented a special legal statue to suspend labour contracts, allowing employees to receive contributions from the Unemployment Insurance System.
For several weeks, it was not clear if, during the suspension period, companies were allowed to grant benefits or complements to employees, to diminish the impact arising from lower incomes coming from the Unemployment Insurance.
On 22 June 2020, the Department of Labour issued a Statement, interpreting the above, establishing that it is legally appropriate that during periods of suspension of employment contracts, either because of a mandatory quarantine or by temporary suspension agreements, the employer provides benefits to the suspended employees, in order to contribute to supplementing the amounts not covered by the Unemployment Insurance.
This ruling is a relevant interpretation tool. However, it is important to note that any Department of Labour interpretation is not binding upon the Courts, which would rule on a case by case basis, according to the context and situation of the corresponding company.
Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos attorneys are available to assist you with these and other workplace issues. For more information on these articles or any other issues involving labour and employment matters in Chile, please contact Ricardo Tisi (Partner) of Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos at rtisi@cariola.cl or visit www.cariola.cl.
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