Economists from the Panel of Experts of the Daily E answered the question: What was the best economic measure taken in Slovakia during the coronary crisis and what underestimated or failed to do as it should? Since many members of the panel work for the government, we encouraged them to write as well about what they personally succeeded in, what they made a mistake and what happened in the last months learned. Answer Draxler, Miklos, Odor, Hirman, Vlachynsky, Kazimir, Beblavy, Letovanec, Ovcarik, Vasakova, Molnarova, Melioris, Suda, Stefanides, Blahova and Kovalčík. [TIP: Activate the evening newsletter with the best articles of Diary N that you have yet They read. Just click once to activate. ] First, a very brief selection of answers: Juraj Draxler, Head of the Institute of Strategic Analysis of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, former Minister of Education: Unofficially circulating information that government officials enough the question of whether higher aid spending would make us worse rating. But this is a relatively absurd approach if our economy shrinks sharply, we have an even lower rating downgrade. Ivan Mikloš, economist, former Minister of Finance: The greatest responsibility for how effectively government and government works the coalition has a prime minister and the chairman of the strongest coalition party, so mistakes can be corrected by changing Igor's driving style Matovic. Especially the transition from micromanagement to strategic management. Ľudovít Ódor, Vice Governor of the NBS: I understand that the situation is complicated: a new government, an unprecedented downturn economy and a big hole in the budget. However, over time, these are arguments in favor of a slower reaction time are becoming less and less applicable. In the second phase of the fight against the corona, Slovakia needs in addition to investment and other incentives - also major systemic changes, ideal from next year. Time is running. Miriama Letovanec, Director of the Implementation Unit of the Office of the Government, part no. on the maternity leave: Inventing a measure does not mean automatically delivering it to those who do it they need. Three months have passed and the numbers we see are not positive - not only from the point of view of drawing aid, but also from the development of the economy. Karel Hirman, energy analyst: So far, the most unnecessary has been the controversy over Sunday's sale and the most questionable was the principle: all power hygienists. hygienists they have nothing to determine the framework conditions of business and do not have their own abuse the position to unnecessarily bully the business sector, especially at such a difficult time. Lívia Vašáková, Head of the Economic Analysis Section of the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia: While Slovakia managed the epidemic of COVID-19 after medical treatment page, economic indicators for the first quarter show sharp economic downturn. GDP fell by 5.2% and employment by 0.5%, which Slovakia is one of the most affected countries, such as Italy, Spain or France. It also dropped significantly in March and April industrial production and Slovakia were again among the most affected countries. Martin Vlachynský, INESS: States are in debt at an incredible pace, emerging from evening to morning new social schemes not for people, but for entire industries, are being considered the entry of the state into private companies, the printing of money also overcame the darkest moments of the 2008 crisis, the European Union is preparing introduction of a number of new taxes ... But the most bizarre thing is that politicians (but also many economists and analysts!) gradually believed that us not a tough crisis, but a new era of incredible prosperity. Suddenly we are talking billions for hospitals, new motorways, sewers in all villages, thousands of rental apartments, I'm just waiting for the return of the wide-gauge railway. Peter Kažimír, Governor of the NBS Deferrals of repayments are clearly the best domestic measure. It was it's simple, understandable and fast. Too bad this principle did not apply always and everywhere. Trying to help the addressee is fine, well it was lost due to the "jeweling" of economic measures precious time. Ivana Molnárová, director of Profesia.sk: I consider compensation to be both a positive and a negative measure labor costs. But the only positive thing is that I state these contributions provided to entrepreneurs. Everything else around this however, the measures were no longer unintended or only communicative uncontrolled. Miroslav Beblavý, economist, former chairman of the Spolu party The best economic measure was to stop the corona in its infancy. A short-term halt to the economy is nothing compared to what we would experienced if the corona spread in the American way. Maroš Ovčarik, specialist in personal finance and investment, Partners Investments One of the best measures that has been implemented during coronation crisis, was an agreement with banks to defer loan repayments. Here is important not only the idea itself, which helped to breathe financially to date, more than 160,000 people and 9,000 companies. The implementation was essential, ie the simplicity and speed of the equipment. Libor Melioris, economist Overall, it turned out poorly. The most visible measure - direct aid turned out to be the poorest. The average monthly support per job is less than 300 eur. The regime is particularly schizophrenic towards self-employed people. In good times he tolerates not paying taxes, but in bad times he does faces that tradesmen do not exist. Pavol Suďa, chief analyst of the Finstat.sk portal Intuitively, it seems to me that the effect of the measures will not be dramatic. That key will be how our economy will cope with the collapse of the foreign demand, the rapid recovery of which is questionable. In this area yet I don't see ideas or suggestions to local employers essentially dependent on exports. Zdenko Štefanides, chief analyst of VUB banka: At the onset of coronacoma, I would welcome an immediate bridge to it flat-rate money transfer to all households, not just directly crisis-stricken. That didn't happen, and that's why speed was important alternative forms of assistance, since the enlargement of the PRC, the introduction of kurzarbeit, deferment of payments of levies or tax advances, but also installments loans. Renáta Bláhová, tax advisor and auditor at BMB Partners, member since April Advisory Team to Minister of Finance Heger: Direct financial assistance through the Ministry of Labor was for objective reasons slower, to this day has many critics because it is targeted and limits posts are set too low. There would be shortcomings here correct by extending aid schemes that have already started, if any by the end of the year, and contribution limits will be increased. Addressability I would definitely did not recommend changing, as a deterrent example could be our Czech neighbors, where called. helicopter money has become an attraction for fraudsters. In Slovakia, we have it all reasonably foresaw. Ján Kovalčík, analyst, INEKO: Looking back shows contributions to job retention they could also be higher. Well, it's easy to comment on what we know today, when the economy is opening up fast and the circle of potential applicants is growing narrows. At the time of decision making in March or April, I would significantly more generous support was probably considered budget Stunts. Martin Kahanec, economist, labor market specialist, founder of Central European Labor Studies Institute (CELSI) Without a well-thought-out testing, tracing and isolation system In some cases, we risk emerging large outbreaks of pandemics without we captured and eliminated them quickly enough. It would help systematic testing of people at risk, geographically scattered occupations with a high frequency of contacts: because of them health, but also because it would give us like litmus papers helped find outbreaks. Systematic area testing of waste water and all blood samples taken for the presence of coronavirus, respectively coronavirus antibodies would also help us to effectively identify germs such outbreaks. Andrej Svorenčík, economist at the University of Mannheim: We can show and forbid in extraordinary circumstances, but more complex activities are still, unfortunately, still beyond our borders options. And now complete answers from the best Slovak economists: Juraj Draxler, Head of the Institute of Strategic Analysis of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, former Minister of Education By far the most effective measure was the introduction of wage subsidies (simply called kurzarbeit). Therefore, it is one of the primary measures in virtually every country, not only in our country. Unfortunately, in our country the measure started to be implemented late and cumbersome (complicated filling in of statements even for self - employed people who wave in other countries access to much easier assistance) and in a very limited way a. The ceiling is so low that it will do great damage to skilled workers, exactly those which our economy should strive to maintain. In the beginning, in addition, the measure introduced not widely, but only for small and medium-sized enterprises. And that's purely because the government she could not understand that the aid would have to be relatively broad. At the same time, she calculated whether she had "enough money", although even in early April, when she was still aid from the EU level was not in full swing, resources were. Unofficially circulating information that government officials were quite busy questioning whether we were bigger aid expenditure will not downgrade the rating. But this is a relatively absurd approach to us the economy will shrink sharply, the downgrade is even more certain. Throughout the story of economic aid, I am fascinated by how weak it is and even that it is little awareness here. And this despite the fact that whoever wants to see how massive and other countries reacted quickly and that we are also indirectly pushing us for more aid from the European Union. There is still a kind of misleading belief that after the opening of the economy everything will return to roughly normal, which is not true at all. In addition, instead of a centralized discussion on selecting the most effective tools here, for example, the crisis use of Eurofunds left practically purely to the departmental gravity: what the ministries come up with, money is put into it. That's almost criminally irresponsible, it will be slow and some resources will probably be wasted on inefficient things. On Tuesday, I chaired a meeting of several domestic economic experts, they agreed we believe that even the latest NBS forecast has strongly undershot the effects of the crisis on employment (its forecast is 70,000 lost jobs in a more conservative scenario and about 100,000 in the worse). In fact, we should to talk about at least double numbers, even if only in relation to the existing ones jobs in Slovakia. An additional problem on the labor market will be the return of Slovaks from abroad, especially due to brexite, it has already begun and will intensify with the shortening of the transitional period. At the same time, we have no response here in terms of labor policy or incentives domestic demand, which will have significant consequences. Politically, then, it will be interesting the question of whether people will usually suffer in silence at home or whether there will be stronger ones social explosion. Ivan Mikloš, economist, former Minister of Finance I consider the best economic measures during the corona crisis to be those which were fast and automatic, such as extending deadlines to filing tax returns and a relatively quick agreement on a solution the problem of canceled tours in travel agencies. In the same way positive, although delayed, was the agreement to cancel the bank drain. On the other hand, concerns (also mine) have been confirmed that help people, entrepreneurs and the economy will be slow and insufficient. I evaluate this, of course, negatively, as well as the pointless extension of the Sunday sales ban even after the lifting emergency. Delayed and insufficient assistance can also be caused by previous inexperience most members of the new executive, but I think the main problem lies in inefficient management within the government and the governing coalition. largest the prime minister is responsible for how effectively the government works and the governing coalition and the chairman of the strongest coalition party, so this mistake can be corrected by change management style by Igor Matovič. Especially the transition from micromanagement to strategic management. Ľudovít Ódor, Vice Governor of the NBS Measures that were either relatively automatic worked best (for example, the PRC), or were processed through the private sector (deferral loan repayments). It turned out that the mentality that helps in detection of abuse of public systems is rapid when needed and sufficiently large aid is a significant obstacle. Simply put, bureaucratic procedures and outdated processes have slowed down much of the support. The approval of state aid by the European Commission also has reserves in flexibility, although it must be said that the system is more flexible than in the past. Also an agreement between the government and commercial banks insists on my taste for a long time. I understand that the situation is complicated: a new government, an unprecedented economic downturn and a big hole in the budget. Over time, however, these arguments are in defense slower reaction time is becoming less applicable. Slovakia needs in the second phases of the fight against the corona - in addition to investment and other incentives - also large systemic ones changes, ideally from next year. Time is running. Miriama Letovanec, Director of the Implementation Unit Government Office, t.č. on maternity leave Inventing a measure does not mean automatically delivering it to those who do it they need. It's been 3 months and the numbers we're seeing aren't positive - not only from the point of view of drawing aid, but also from the development of the economy. Delivering a measure therefore does not just mean allocating a specific package public resources. When creating measures, it is necessary to look not only at whether they worked abroad, but from the point of view of deliverability also take into account administrative and organizational constraints of the Slovak public sector. As in the private sector, we need to take action before launching test from the process side. It doesn't take months or time to create such a process map emergency situations, such as the economic corona crisis, it is possible to shorten these actions on. After more than two decades, politicians still have not learned their lesson - they announce its initiatives at a time when many unknowns are still entering the equation variables. At the same time, it would be enough to wait a few days, refine the processes and into the media announce managerially taken measures. We abstract from the fact that the resources used in the first round are Eurofunds. If he has be a quick measure, so it must not be administratively burdensome and should not involve more as two procedural steps. Checking the accuracy or presentation of true information carried out ex-post and not continuously. After all, affidavits are used. If the measure is to be targeted, cesium must not fall into the future a certain part of the target group. But especially it should be administered in simple language and in a user-friendly way for the general masses of the population - even those who experience it they do not have to read the laws. Let's use behavioral approaches. Today is the time to return to the standard ways of making legislation, to minimize resortism, share data across the public sector and get economic aid as quickly as possible to those who need it. Because we only have very limited time. Karel Hirman, energy analyst Now criticize or praise the government for economic policy would it was unfair. The government has not done politics so far, but it was literally firefighter and rescuer. I think given that for what the coalition and the situation in which it has taken responsibility, so far with it she fit in quite well as much as possible. Evidence of this too comparison with other countries. Of course, aid management and access to use could have been better managed EU funds. But first it requires fundamental systemic as well as personnel changes in the state administration so that other mechanisms and approaches can be set up, which will aim at meaningful, transparent and also operational use of resources without unnecessarily complicated bureaucracy. So far, the most unnecessary has been the controversy over Sunday's sale and the most questionable principle: all power hygienists. Hygienists have nothing to determine the framework conditions business and should not abuse their position for unnecessary bullying business sector, especially in such difficult times. The hour of truth for the economic policy of this governing coalition is coming now, at preparing and approving comprehensive support and simplification measures business environment. It will be important to assess the success of the government amendment to the law on the state budget for this year, which must be urgently developed so that a genuine economic policy can be pursued. Another key task will be to develop a quality project framework for use of a special EU fund, which must be used primarily for systemic funding modernization and restructuring of the economy and employment, at the same time support for socially positive measures. In the short term, not only the termination of personnel will be equally important changes in state-owned enterprises, but also the determination of strategic tasks for their next development. In this regard, as an energy professional, I have considerable doubts whether the creation of the notified holding of state heating plants is the "real nut". A strategically and security-sensitive task, which has been almost discussed in our country so far does not speak, but is a major issue at EU level and in its key countries such as Germany and France, the state's entry into changing ownership is sensitive sectors and enterprises. In a situation where the coronary crisis has further weakened the entire sectors they have faced last year serious problems, such as metallurgy, automotive but also energy, you are responsible the government urgently needs to prepare legislative instruments to enable it to do so effectively and to emphatically enter into these processes, regardless of the ownership structure of the companies. Lívia Vašáková, Head of the Economic Analysis Section Representations of the European Commission in Slovakia While Slovakia managed the COVID-19 epidemic well after the medical exam page, economic indicators for the first quarter show sharp economic downturn. GDP fell by 5.2% and employment by 0.5%, which Slovakia is one of the most affected countries, such as Italy, Spain or France. It also dropped significantly in March and April industrial production and Slovakia was again among the most affected countries. All Member States have tried to help their countries since the outbreak of the pandemic economies. However, the aid was not even. With over 50% of the total state aid within the EU is strongly dominated by Germany, which has been building for several years budget surpluses. Most Slovak state aid schemes have only been approved in last days. Also according to various comparisons of aid intensity, Slovakia gave support the economy relatively little and the difference compared to other EU countries is visible mainly in liquidity support (soft loans and state guarantees). A great opportunity for Slovakia is the recently proposed European assistance in the amount of EUR 1.85 trillion, of which Slovakia, after approval by the Council and the European Parliament, will be able to draw about 24 billion. This package should, in addition to the classic EU funds and agricultural subsidies to support the reforms they may decide about the curve and the intensity of recovery. Martin Vlachynsky, INESS The main mistake is to steer the whole social debate. It is decided whether the slender manufacturer or that producer will receive the aid strawberry compotes, whether the carmaker will lay off 500 or 1000 people, with our eyes wide, we look at the NBS and other institutions, or theirs the tuned model will show a decrease in GDP of 10.3% or 11.2%. For now background are the biggest changes in the functioning of advanced economies behind the last 30 years. States are in debt at an incredible pace, new social ones are emerging from evening to morning schemes not for people but for entire industries, the entry of the state into the private sector is being considered companies, the printing of money has overcome even the darkest moments of the 2008 crisis, The European Union is preparing to introduce a number of new taxes ... But the most bizarre thing is that politicians (but also many economists and analysts!) Gradually they believed that we were not facing a severe crisis, but a new era of incredible prosperity. Suddenly we are talking about billions for hospitals, new highways, sewers in all the villages, thousands of rental apartments, I'm just waiting to return wide gauge railway. As if suddenly an almost infinite amount of resources fell into the hands of the state. A word "Investment" in today's debate has completely changed its meaning - it is no longer an expense with a return, but virtually any expense. Consumption has become an "investment". it is, of course, nonsense. The crisis cannot be redeemed and it is entirely responsible for these decisions Europe to pay the lost generation. I therefore do not consider it fruitful to assess whether this government has poured money quickly or not slowly, or whether she has prepared request forms with too many parties or small font. I will evaluate it according to its approach to the essentials questions that will come in the coming months, whether it will use this time for reforms, which we have been talking about for decades. Peter Kažimír, Governor of the NBS Deferrals of repayments are clearly the best domestic measure. It was it's simple, understandable and fast. It is a pity that this principle has not always and everywhere been applied. Trying to help Addressed is fine, but too much "jeweling" of economic measures precious time has been lost. Due to the seriousness of the situation, it was better to burn it a bit at the beginning and correct it later. It is no shame to change things. The unfortunate plot around the bank levy is pointlessly delaying the introduction guarantee schemes. Without them, we cannot secure credit to our economy and without it smooth lending will not recover. Finally, briefly on the measures. Yes, they should be simple, understandable and feasible. And it would be very helpful if these measures were also the result transparent process. The situation is too serious to make decisions affecting the lives of millions of people arose behind closed doors of any kind crisis staffs. Ivana Molnárová, director of Profesia.sk I consider compensation for wage costs to be both a positive and a negative measure. The only positive thing, however, is that the state provided these contributions to entrepreneurs. However, everything else about this measure was already unintended, or only communication unmanageable. These posts came with great delays that have sent many employers to secondary employment insolvency. The problem is also that the state did not think of everyone and everyone this aid scheme was unavailable to many. If we were out of it should teach, so clearly the state should have a mastered mechanism standardized communication of such measures through methodological guidelines and the like. The second room for improvement is the ability of competent institutions to act, which should ensure the prompt delivery and implementation of these measures. Miroslav Beblavý, economist, former chairman of the Spolu party The best economic measure was to stop the corona in its infancy. A short-term halt to the economy is nothing compared to what we would experienced if the corona spread in the American way. Therefore drastic and immediate action in March - closure of establishments, schools and borders and I consider wearing masks to be the best economic measure so far. This no longer applies to the next step. The biggest mistake is the misunderstanding on the part of most state officials that governance in times of such a crisis is quite different from opposition the policy to which they are accustomed. We have seen preference for most of them press releases, dramatic statements and even media narcissism before hard work on saving the economy. It is easy to declare First Aid for 1.5 billion euros, but it is difficult to make it a reality. Already at the end of March, several economists - for example, Ivan Mikloš and I pointed out - that aid must be simple, accessible and distributed as far as possible over existing ones institutions and, if possible, instruments. We have even designed specific tools. The government went through new and administratively demanding tools, many of which, of course, mismanaged. Maroš Ovčarik, specialist in personal finance and investment, Partners Investments One of the best measures that has been implemented during coronation crisis, was an agreement with banks to defer loan repayments. Here is important not only the idea itself, which helped to breathe financially to date, more than 160,000 people and 9,000 companies. The implementation was essential, ie the simplicity and speed of the equipment. Probably the least successful was the introduction of government measures in terms of speed and ease of handling for specific applicants. This crisis has fully shown that if we want our state to be better governed and to be ready to respond flexibly even in the event of such mega-crises, we must move in digitization. This will allow us to get important data faster, even if today the state has it at its disposal, but so far it cannot work with them effectively. In this regard, he could learn from the private sector. Libor Melioris, economist Terms such as "social contract" or "implicit agreement" are for of the common man incomprehensible. Any crisis, whether political or economic, is a rare period during which it materializes and redefines the citizen-state relationship. The Munich Agreement in 1938 with the citizens of Czechoslovakia materialized in the form of summons orders in the context of general mobilization. The epidemiological crisis of 2020 gave our establishment a chance to materialize citizens through economic aid. Overall, it turned out poorly. The most visible measure - direct aid, turned out most impoverished. The average monthly support per job is less than 300 euros. Especially schizophrenic the regime treats self-employed persons. In good times, he tolerates not paying taxes, but in bad times pretends that tradesmen do not exist. What was to be done was prophetically described by Konstantin Chikovsky in March. How is that turned out and what to do with it now, the best described by Ivan Bosňák in the recent commentary. Pavol Suďa, chief analyst of the Finstat.sk portal I assume that they should have the biggest macroeconomic effect measures such as deferral of loan and lease payments, state subsidy for rent, contributions to employees' salaries, deferral, etc. remission of social security premiums, deferral of payment advances on income tax, deferral of tax return or temporary protection of entrepreneurs and tenants. However, we will find out what real and significant positive impact they will have in the final up to a longer time interval. Some entrepreneurs have announced that they are supportive schemes are too complex. Others are afraid to use them for potential future risks, whom they fear. For example, the courts have provided temporary protection from creditors since mid-May only about 170 businesses, employing about five thousand workers. Up to ten percent of them gave up quickly, especially for the negative reaction of creditors. Intuitively, it seems to me that the effect of these measures will not be dramatic. That the key will be how our economy will cope with the slump in foreign demand, which is fast recovery is questionable. I don't see any ideas or suggestions in this area yet they significantly helped the local employers, who were essentially dependent on exports. Zdenko Štefanides, chief analyst of VUB banka In my view, the best measures after the outbreak of the coronary crisis were those that were quick and helped the largest group of people affected crisis. At the onset of coronacoma, I would welcome her to bridge it immediate lump sum money transfer to all households, not only directly affected by the crisis. It didn't happen, and that's why it was the important speed of alternative forms of assistance, since the enlargement of the PRC, introduction of kurarbeit or deferral of payments of levies or tax advances, but also installments loans. The latter measure has proved to be extremely effective and rapid assistance reached by more than 160,000 households. Banks so at the beginning of this crisis they have helped to overcome difficult times for perhaps more people than state aid. That is also why it seems unfair to me that the special bank levy has still not been canceled. After other central bank arguments in the Financial Stability Report perhaps no one doubts this levy for the economy. Sure, as an employee of one from the banks I am in a conflict of interest in this topic. But in a situation where he dropped the bank levy most banks to the losses before the onset of the coronary crisis, I can not look at it differently as a fine for the very sector that has helped those affected in this crisis households and businesses perhaps the most. Renáta Bláhová, tax advisor and auditor at BMB Partners, member of the advisory team of the Minister of Finance since April Heger The most important measure from the country 's point of view was to ensure sufficient liquidity for the proper functioning of the state right at the beginning of the pandemic, as it threatened not to pay officials. We have succeeded and today we have the opposite challenge, to prepare reforms so that the generous several billion in assistance from the EC is used for sensible reforms of our country. The chance for change is real great. From the point of view of the business entities that are most at risk pandemic, postponement of assistance was the fastest direct taxes and social security contributions. Direct financial assistance through the labor sector was slower for objective reasons, to this day it has many critics because it is targeted and the limits on posts are set too low. Here, the shortcomings could be corrected by already starting the schemes pomoci sa predĺžia, ak bude treba aj do konca roka, a limity na príspevky zvýšia. Adresnosť by som určite neodporúčala meniť, ako odstrašujúci príklad by mohli byť naši českí susedia, kde sa tzv. helicopter money stali lákadlom pre podvodníkov. Na Slovensku sme to vcelku rozumne predvídali. Na čo som osobne hrdá, že sa mi v poradenskom tíme ministra financií podarilo rozbehnúť? Spomeniem heslovite len vybrané oblasti, bez nasadenia celého tímu MF a medzirezortnej komunikácie by to však nebolo možné: Index daňovej spoľahlivosti: väčšia transparentnosť kritérií a zlepšenie výhod pre spoľahlivých daňovníkov. Pravidlá CFC pre fyzické osoby s cieľom zamedziť zneužívaniu schránkových spoločností vjurisdikciách snízkym daňovým zaťažením. Tieto pravidlá boli vr. 2017 na poslednú chvíľu v parlamente stiahnuté a zavedené z nepochopiteľných dôvodov len pre právnické osoby. Pre občerstvenie pamäti prikladám aj ilustratívny link. Prísnejší trestný zákon pre oblasť krátenia priamych daní s cieľom zamedziť špekulatívnemu zneužívaniu u agresívnych daňových subjektov (navrhuje sa vypustiť ustanovenie o účinnej ľútosti zavedené vroku 2013). Aj tu pre ozrejmenie súvislostí prikladám link. Dlhodobý systém kurzarbeit, o ktorom pred rokom mohli firmy len snívať. Za najdôležitejšie považujem v najbližšej dobe znormalizovať legislatívny proces tak, aby vláda mohla dodržať predvolebný sľub o predvídateľnej legislatíve. To znamená schvaľovať dôležité zmeny len jedenkrát za rok a to k 1. januáru, ideálne s jasným úplným znením zákona a úplne zakázať prílepky. Ján Kovalčík, dopravný analytik, INEKO Za ekonomicky i sociálne najlepšie opatrenie v koronakríze považujem využitie nečerpaných eurofondov na odvrátenie prepúšťania. Príspevky na udržanie zamestnanosti doslova zachránili prácu desiatkam tisíc ľudí. A spolu pomohli firmám pokryť podstatnú časť nákladov na stovky tisíc pracovných miest. Áno, príspevky nenabehli expresne. Ale s ohľadom na biedny stav elektronizácie procesov na úradoch stále veľmi dobre. Fakt, že predtým dlhé roky pri informatizácii šlo viac o lukratívne zákazky než o lepšie služby, teraz nik rýchlo nenapraví. Spätný pohľad ukazuje, že príspevky na udržanie pracovných miest mohli byť aj vyššie. No to sa ľahko komentuje s tým, čo vieme dnes, keď sa ekonomika rýchlo otvára a okruh potenciálnych žiadateľov sa zužuje. V čase prijímania rozhodnutí v marci či apríli by som významne štedrejšiu podporu asi považoval za rozpočtové kaskadérstvo. Druhým významným a široko využívaným opatrením sú odklady splácania úverov. S ohľadom na nízku finančnú gramotnosť väčšiny populácie však odporúčam aktívne vysvetľovať, že úroky nabiehajú aj teraz. Preto čím dlhší odklad dlžníci využijú, o to viac a dlhšie budú zostávajúci úver splácať. Z opatrení, ktoré sú teraz pre ekonomiku dôležité a dlho viazli, považujem za najdôležitejšie preklenovacie úvery podnikateľom. Slovensko má banky v dobrej kondícii a očakával by som, že viac podržia životaschopných podnikateľov v ťažkom období. Aj pred definitívnym schválením štátnych garančných schém. Teraz banky mohli a môžu ukázať, či sú partnermi aj do zlého počasia. Martin Kahanec, ekonóm, špecialista na trh práce, zakladateľ Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI) Ekonomické opatrenia, ktoré sa urobili, sú v princípe správne a pomáhajú svojim cieľovým skupinám. Rezervy boli najmä v rýchlosti ich implementácie, administratívnej záťaži na žiadateľov, a nedostatočnej výške podpory pri niektorých opatreniach. Niekedy aj vo svojej podstate dobré opatrenia trpeli chybami v detailoch pri ich implementácii. Napríklad keď sa zamestnávatelia zdráhali požiadať o opatrenia prvej pomoci z dôvodu nejasností okolo ich účtovania a zdaňovania. Zatiaľ sa nepodarilo implementovať investičné opatrenia pomoci mestám a obciam. Verím ale, že sa potenciál tisícov starostov a primátorov, ktorí majú dobrý prehľad, v ktorých projektoch je v ich obciach a mestách najvyššia pridaná hodnota, podarí urgentne realizovať. Aj keď epidemiologické opatrenia na zabránenie druhej vlny pandémie po otvorení ekonomiky nepatria priamo medzi ekonomické opatrenia, ich dosah na ekonomiku môže byť väčší ako celá doterajšia pomoc dokopy. To, že počty prípadov COVID-19 po otvorení narástli, nie je prekvapujúce, a samo osebe ma to v tejto miere ani neznepokojuje. Veľmi ma však znepokojuje, či sme na zvýšené riziko druhej vlny dostatočne pripravení. Druhý lockdown by bol pre ekonomiku a spoločnosť devastačný. Bez premysleného systému testovania, trasovania a izolovania prípadov nám hrozí vznik veľkých ohnísk pandémie bez toho, aby sme ich dostatočne rýchlo zachytili a eliminovali. Pomohlo by systematické testovanie ľudí v najrizikovejších, geograficky rozptýlených povolaniach s vysokou frekvenciou kontaktov: kvôli ich zdraviu, ale aj kvôli tomu, že by nám ako lakmusové papieriky pomáhali nachádzať ohniská nákazy. Systematické plošné testovanie odpadových vôd a všetkých odobraných krvných vzoriek na prítomnosť koronavírusu, respektíve protilátok na koronavírus, by nám tiež pomohlo efektívne identifikovať zárodky takýchto ohnísk. Andrej Svorenčík, ekonóm na Univerzite v Mannheime Na Slovensku si za bežných okolností nevieme efektívne riadiť veci verejné. Preto by sa mohlo zdať, že v krízovej situácií, keď sa štát potrebuje venovať len veľmi limitovanému okruhu úloh, tak by v nich mohol dosiahnuť nadpriemerné výsledky. Tými kľúčovými úlohami štátu počas pandémie boli a naďalej sú zamedziť šíreniu nákazy a stlmiť dopady na hospodárstvo. V prvej úlohe Slovensko síce uspelo, ale z formálnej stránky je tam viacero otáznikov — napríklad legitimita konzília epidemiológov a pod. V druhej úlohe je výkon nateraz nedostatočný, hlavne na úrovni deravého pokrytia a pomalej implementácie Prvej pomoci zamestnancom, podnikateľom a SZČO zo strany Ministerstva práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny. Prikazovať a zakazovať za mimoriadnych okolností nám ide, ale komplexnejšie činnosti sú nateraz, žiaľ, stále ešte za hranicami našich možností. Ak máte pripomienku alebo ste našlichybu, napíšte prosím na
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