Employment Support Scheme (ESS)
For the past few months, the Chamber has been liaising with the HKSAR Government to share members’ concerns about the economic repercussions of the pandemic. Of particular interest amongst our CanCham members has been the request for more details on the Employment Support Scheme (ESS). As such, we have assembled all of the materials we’ve received from the government regarding the ESS and are presenting them to you below.
*updated as of May 28, 2020 9AM HKT.
Application help?
Would your business like professional help applying to the Employment Support Scheme (ESS)?
CanChamHK would like to introduce a few of our experienced members who are here to provide assistance if your company does not have HR or is in lack of payroll administrative resources to locally handle matters related to the ESS:
KPMG
KPMG can provide assistance with the ESS such as determining eligibility, understanding the requirements, modelling the financial impact, or determining the implications on head count requirements. More information here: https://home.kpmg/cn/en/home/insights/2020/04/employment-support-scheme.html
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Kim Kan (kim.kan@kpmg.com)
Mazars CPA Limited
Mazars’ Outsourcing Department can assist companies in applying online, and provide support on the subsidy amount calculations. Further information can be found in Mazars’ newsletters published on this topic on our website: http://www.mazars.hk/Home/Our-expertise/Accounting-Outsourcing-Services
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Gilles-Alexandre Salansy (contact form)
Weir & Associates, Solicitors & Notaries
We previously already had clients enquiring about the formalities/processes as well as the requirements for the Scheme. Most importantly the undertakings the businesses are required to make in order to comply with the rules of this Scheme and the penalties in the event of a breach of the undertaking is of the utmost concern for many business owners. We have had this experience and are able to help.
More about us: http://www.weirandassociates.com/
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Olivia Dong (olivia.dong@weirdandassociates.com)
Yang Chan & Jamison
In response to the impact of 2019 coronavirus on the Hong Kong economy, the HKSAR Government earlier announced the launch of Employment Support Scheme (“ESS”) under the 2nd round of anti-epidemic funds (https://www.ess.gov.hk/). It aims at providing time-limited financial support to employers in paying salaries to employees who are demobilized during the recent challenging times. Applications for the financial support will be open on 25 May 2020 and the deadline for submission is 14 June 2020 (three weeks’ timeframe).
If your company is in lack of HR or payroll administrative resources locally to deal with matters on ESS, our Business Process Solution (BPS) team under Deloitte China shall be pleased to support you, including review of the employment status and compensation details, selection of the designated month of employment for application purpose, preparation of application documents and related advisory. More information here: https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/services/legal.html
If you have any queries or need our assistance, please feel free to contact either one of Debbie Yim (dyim@deloittelegal.com.hk), Kelly Lam (kelllam@deloittelegal.com.hk) or Keith Ho (keiho@deloittelegal.com.hk).
RSM Hong Kong
Application of the first tranche of the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) has commenced on 25 May 2020. RSM Hong Kong will assist employers to apply for ESS and provide advice on eligibility and financial assessment.
More about us: https://www.rsm.global/hongkong/
For more information, please contact Shirley Tam (shirleytam@rsmhk.com)
Helpful Resources
FAQs
For More Information
*The service hours of the hotline is from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays), and the service hours will be from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday during the application period (i.e. May 25 to June 14).
Webinar
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