Independent business

Are you contemplating whether to start your own business?

The unemployment benefits system is basically set up to accommodate wage earners. This can make it difficult to navigate the system if you are a budding entrepreneur. Therefore, it is a good idea to maintain close dialogue with us at the unemployment fund before throwing yourself headlong into your own business venture.

An independent businnes requires an exemption from the unemployment fund

As the unemployment benefits system is theoretically an insurance policy for wage earners, you must always receive an exemption to run a business – before you start up. In addition, you may only run a business as a sideline. Basically, it must be a business which it is possible to run concurrent with a normal salaried position.

WHAT YOU ARE PERMITTED TO DO:

• You may run a business as a sideline, but you must apply to the unemployment fund for permission to do so before you begin.
• You are permitted to explore the market and look into your business’s prospects, if relevant.
• You are also permitted to train and qualify yourself at entrepreneurship courses, etc. (This must be approved beforehand by the unemployment fund, however.)

WHAT YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DO:

• Start up the business (make a website, advertise, submit quotations, etc.) before you have obtained permission to do so from the unemployment fund, even if you are not earning money yet.
• In addition, as a general rule, you may never build up a business while you are receiving unemployment benefits if you intend to earn your living solely from the business afterwards.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP YOU

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are considering whether to start up a business. We are interested in lending a helping hand in this process.