Over 5,000 businesses will receive a total of €6 million in electricity bill refunds, through a scheme launched by Malta Enterprise. In addition, the wage supplement for the month of December is already being issued. This means that €40 million are being made available to workers and businesses, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference on the electricy refund scheme, Minister Dalli explained that the Maltese and Gozitan businesses who applied for the scheme employ over 25,800 workers. Out of the 5,000 businesses, 1,860 are self-employed.
“Our goal is to stand by businesses, to ensure that our families and workers are protected. The electricity bill refund scheme is one of a number of aids that we have given and will continue to give to businesses,” the Minister said.
The electricity bill refund scheme was announced with the aim of helping businesses during the months of July, August and September. Malta Enterprise has received 6,400 applications and around 7,220 bills will be supported. Companies with a single account could claim a refund of up to €1,500, whereas businesses with more than one account could receive up to € 7,500, depending on the number of employees and the wage supplement they receive.
The total aid from the two schemes alone over this Christmas period will amount to around €40 million in cash for businesses and self-employed workers.
“I would like to thank Malta Enterprise for ensuring that not only the majority of the December wage supplement is paid, but also enable the first round of electricity bill refund payments,” said Miriam Dalli.
Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia explained how between March and December, over €320 million were distributed through the wage supplement scheme. About 17,000 businesses and 85,000 workers benefited from this scheme. Malta Enterprise operates more schemes, including schemes concerning telework, quarantine leave and rents.
“These schemes are helping businesses during these trying times whilst ensuring that they are able to pay their workers. Malta Enterprise will continue to work on regeneration schemes, to help companies prepare for the future in a post-COVID environment,” Farrugia said.