疫情对于在华外企可能产⽣的影响
疫情对于在华外企可能产⽣的影响
零工资The negative impacts that Coronavirus may bring to FIEs in China
随着新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情的持续，疫情对于包括在华外资企业在内的中国企业均造成了不同程度的负⾯影响。上周，中国英国商会调查就本次新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对其会员公司在中国开展经营活动所造成的影响进⾏了调查[1]，并收到了来⾃126个不同⾏业、不同规模的会员公司的回复。其中，⾼达97%的被调查公司认为本次疫情对其公司的运营活动造成了严重或少许负⾯影响。
With the continuance of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), business including foreign-invested enterpris (“FIE”) are negatively impacted. Last week the British chambers of commerce in China surveyed its members on the impact of the virus on their operation in China, and have responded by its 126 members of different sizes from different industries, among which 97% of the surveyed members believe that the virus has brought significant or a slight negative impact on their operation in the Chine mainland so far.
很显然这场疫情给中国经济带来了难以估量的损失。⽬前这场疫情还没有结束，并且还将持续⼀段时间，本⽂旨在对于这场持久的疫情可能对于在华外企可能造成的影响做⼀个简单的预测。
Obviously, the outbreak of the virus has brought incalculable loss to the Chine economy. Up till now this virus has not ended and would still last for some time. This article aims to briefly estimate the potential impacts of this unfortunate event on the FIEs.
1. 是否可能导致裁员？
Whether it would cau mass layoffs?
2 ⽉10 ⽇是部分省份的机构与企业节后复⼯第⼀天，中国著名电梯⼴告运营商新潮传媒宣布裁员500 ⼈，其中包括20名管理⼲部，占总员⼯数的10% ，⾼管集体降薪20% 。尽管其宣布的裁员理由是“2019 年绩效考核末尾淘汰[2]，以及业务减少、⼈员就相对冗余”，但很显然本次疫情所造成的负⾯影响是裁员理由中的重要考量因素。其董事长张继学表⽰，“要战胜此次疫情，必须降低成本，确保活着”。账⾯上还有巨额现⾦流的巨头企业尚且如此，可想⽽知餐饮、旅游以及中⼩制造业企业⾯临的裁员压⼒⼀定更⼤。
February 10 th is the first day for institutions and enterpris in many provinces to get back to the work positions. On this day the famous Chine elevator advertir XinChao Group announced to dismiss 500 employees, including 20 nior managers, which accounts for 10% of all its employees, meanwhile, all its remaining nior managers would accept a 20% decrea in their salaries. Though their official reason for this layoff event is “their graded last in 2019 KPI appraisal, and the staff redundancy due to clients’ less demand for its business”, it is widely believed that the virus is a significant consideration for the layoff. Mr. Jixue Zhang, its chairman of the board, stated that “for the purpo of fighting with the virus, we shall reduce cost to ensure we survive it”. We may reasonably infer that small enterpris in the industry of catering, travelling or manufacturing are also under great pressure of downsizing.
根据⼈社部《关于妥善处理新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情防控期间劳动关系问题的通知》，“企业因受疫情影响导致⽣产经营困难的，可以通过与职⼯协商⼀致采取调整薪酬、轮岗轮休、缩短⼯时等⽅式稳定⼯作岗位，尽量不裁员或者少
产经营困难的，可以通过与职⼯协商⼀致采取调整薪酬、轮岗轮休、缩短⼯时等⽅式稳定⼯作岗位，尽量不裁员或者少裁员”。很显然，“尽量”⼀词属于倡议⽽⾮强制，⼈社部对于因疫情⽽产⽣的裁员压⼒已经有所预见。客服人员
Under the Notice of properly dealing with Labor Relations during period of the Epidemic Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus issued by PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, “enterpris which are negatively impacted by the virus and have rious difficulties in operation may negotiate with the employees to adjust their salaries, to rotate day offs or to have shorter working hours for the purpo of stabling job position, and enterpri shall avoid layoffs to the best extent”. We understand “to the best extent” is a kind of appeal rather than mandatory order, and obviously, the government approval has already estimated the layoff pressure of the enterpris.
企业在采取各种措施稳定劳动关系后，⽣产经营仍然困难，劳动合同仍然⽆法继续履⾏的，可依据《劳动合同法》第40条、第41 条等规定，在履⾏相关程序后，解除与职⼯的劳动合同，但应同时⽀付
经济补偿。需要说明的是，鉴于⼈社部原则上倡导企业减少裁员，以上述⽅式实施裁员的法律后果需要有待相关政策进⼀步明确指导，并在律师的协助下进⾏操作。
In ca the enterpris still have rious difficulties in the operation and in the continuance of its labor contracts after having taken corresponding measures, the enterpris may terminate the labor contracts under Article 40 and Article 41 of PRC Labor Contract Law after satisfying certain procedural requirements and paying statutory economic compensation. But we shall note that the PRC government authorities officially require enterpris to avoid layoffs, therefore the legal result and policy orientation of layoffs during this period is still unclear, and shall prudently proceed under the assistance of lawyers.
根据我们观察，在华外资企业对于解除劳动关系往往持谨慎态度，对于⼤规模的裁员项⽬更是如此。此外，外资企业对于此类突发事件往往有成熟的应对体系及应对⽅案，单纯因本次疫情引发的裁员事件可能会发⽣，但可能不会成为全部在华企业竞相采⽤的⽅案。
As per our previous experiences, the FIEs in China generally would be more cautious regarding the termination of labor contracts, especially for the mass layoff events. In addition, FIEs usually have mature solutions to deal with such emergency events. We understand that the mass layoffs of FIEs in China may not happen purely due to the outbreak of the virus.
2. 是否会导致外企⼤规模撤资？
Whether it would cau withdrawal of foreign capital away from Chine market?bears怎么读
外商投资企业⼤规模撤资、倒闭，可能会严重遏制⼀个地区的经济增长速度，造成该地区产业链的断层，并留下⼤批债务、⼤批量的就业缺⼝等严重社会问题。根据历年经验，外资企业⼤规模从中国撤资往往集中受到国际重⼤经济与⾦融危机的直接影响，全球经济由流动性过剩转为流动性不⾜，并影响到了在华的外商投资企业；⽽类似疫情等突发事件并不是导致外企撤资的主要原因，例如2003 年类似的突发疫情事件“⾮典”就并未导致外企⼤规模撤离中国。
The large scale of capital withdrawals and liquidations of FIEs in China would riously hinder the economic growth, and would leave for rious social problems including unpaid debts and employment issues. Judging from our previous experiences, the mass withdrawal of foreign capital generally happened in ca of a rious international economic and financial crisis and FIEs in China were generally impacted by the global downsizing; the emergency events such as virus is not the major reason for their withdrawal from Chine market. For instance, a similar event in 2003, SARS, didn’t cau such result.
需要承认的是，本次疫情爆发后，各国陆续出台限制措施，限制本国企业与在华货物与⼈员的往来，
对在华中资、外资公司的经营、货物运输等事项产⽣严重影响；此外，本次疫情客观上打击了境外企业进⼝中国⽣产的( 包括外商投资企业在中国⽣产的) 产品的信⼼。但如前⽂所述，外资企业对于此类突发事件往往有成熟的应对体系及应对⽅案，在华投资的外企早已过了仅仅关注廉价劳动⼒资源以及优惠税收政策的阶段，其更注重深层的、长期的投资利益，会将其在全球通⾏的、成熟的市场管理体系纳⼊到在华企业的实务操作中。
We shall notice that many countries have taken restrictive measures after the outbreak of this virus, which have restricted the personnel and products exchange with Chine enterpris, and have caud great negative impacts on the operation of FIEs in China and their international transit of goods. Besides, foreign consumers’ confidence and needs of products from China are objectively lowered down due to the virus. But as we have mentioned before, FIEs generally have mature solutions for such emergency events, and foreign capital would not only focus on the short term interest like cheap labor force and tax exemption. They would focus more on the long-term investment returns and would include the Chine market in their mature global market management system.
would include the Chine market in their mature global market management system.
2 ⽉10 ⽇，商务部召开了⽹上新闻发布会，新闻发⾔⼈表⽰，商务部正在密切关注疫情可能对外贸产⽣的影响，从总体上看，中国吸收外资的综合竞争优势没有改变。同⽇，商务部也印发了《关于积极应对新冠肺炎疫情加强外资企业服务和招商引资⼯作的通知》，该通知要求各地政府及商务主管部门“积极帮助外资企业有序恢复正常⽣产经营”、“持续优化营商环境”。我们理解在华外企在⽣产经营及复⼯⽅⾯的政策⽀持下，本次疫情导致外企⼤规模撤资的可能性较⼩。
The PRC Ministry of Commerce (“ MOFCOM”) held an online press conference on February 10. The press spokesman stated that the MOFCOM was cloly watching for the potential impact of the virus on the Chine international trade, and from a general perspective, the Chine market still has a competitive advantage to attract foreign capital. On the same day, MOFCOM also issued the Notice of actively improving rvices quality for FIEs and attracting foreign investment during the Novel Coronavirus , which required local government authorities to “actively help FIEs to restore normal operation order” and to “continuously optimize the business environment”. We understand that with the policy support to FIEs, that the chances are of foreign capital withdrawing from the Chine Market due to the virus will be minimized.
登高的意思3. 是否对在华外籍⾼管产⽣影响？
Whether it would cau negative impact on foreign nior managers in China?
根据国家移民管理局的问题解答，⽬前除武汉⼝岸关闭离汉通道外，中国⼝岸签证机关仍正常运转，外国⼈过境免签政策未作调整，各陆、海、空⼝岸继续对外开放运转，外国⼈可凭有效的出境⼊境证件正常出⼊境。
As per the answers from the National Immigration Administration of PRC, at prent, except for the lockdown of the exit channel of Wuhan ports, all port visa agencies are operating as usual. Visa-free transit policy for foreigners are still effective. All land, a and air ports of China are functioning. Foreigners can enter or exit as usual with their valid international travel documents.
此外，有关外籍⾼管关注的签证以及居留证件等问题，按照国家移民管理局部署，针对疫情防控期间特殊情况，有关部门为外国⼈提供签证延期和停留居留证件办理等便利服务。对因疫情防控原因难以及时办理停居留证件导致逾期居留的，依法从轻、减轻或不予处罚。对有紧急办理出⼊境证件需要的随时提供加急服务，对外国⼈较为集中的企业单位，出⼊境管理部门还将根据实际需要视情允许代办证件或提供其他必要的办证便利。
In regard to the issue of working visas and resident permits of foreign nior managers, under the government authority’s arrangement, relevant government authority will be in full rvice for extension and issuance of visas and stay or residence permits to ensure foreigners' legitimate stay i
n China. Tho who are unable to exit as scheduled or extend the visas, stay or residence permits due to the reason of epidemic prevention and control shall be given a lighter or mitigated or be exempted from punishment. For tho enterpris which host high numbers of foreigners, the authorities will allow additional agent rvice or provide other necessary conveniences depending upon the situation.尽管如此，考虑到疫情控制的需要，⽬前情况下减少⼈员跨境流动有助于有效防控疫情，建议外国⾼管可根据实际业务需求合理安排来华及离境⾏程，并提前了解外国和其他地区是否已针对疫情实施相应的⼊境管制措施。此外，如出现疑似感染症状的，应当⽴即就近接受诊治，并如实向有关管理⼈员说明近期活动和密切接触⼈员等情况，以便有关部门迅速采取排查措施。
Despite the above, for the purpo of epidemic control, it is helpful to reduce cross border movements. Foreign nior managers shall make reasonable cross border travel arrangements. Also, it is advid that foreign nior managers shall learn in advance regarding entry requirements of destination countries or regions. Besides, tho who have symptoms of infection should ek immediate medical treatment at the nearest hospitals. Information such as recent activities as well as clo contacts should be provided to relevant authorities for any necessary control measures.
4. 政府应对疫情有什么⽀持性政策？
Whether the government has any business supporting policies regarding virus?
《关于积极应对新冠肺炎疫情加强外资企业服务和招商引资⼯作的通知》要求商务部门指导外资企业⽤好⽤⾜财政、⾦融、税收、社保、就业以及政府采购等各类帮扶解困政策，做到内外资企业平等对待、⼀视同仁，最⼤限度减少疫情影响。⽬前，已有多地接连推出多项政策，为遇到困难的中⼩企业发展保驾护航。本⽂仅择取其中部分省份及⽀持性政策汇总如下：
汇总如下：
The Notice of actively improving rvices quality for FIEs and attracting foreign investment during the Novel Coronavirus requires government authorities to fully advi FIEs regarding Chine supporting policies regarding finance, tax, social curity, employment, government procurement, etc. The government authorities shall ensure that FIEs are equally treated and the negative impact caud by the virus shall be reduced to the largest extent. Up till now, the government authorities have issued many supporting policies for small and medium enterpris faced with operation difficulties. This article choos policies in certain provinces summarized as follows:
地区District 政策Policies
北京Beijing ⿎励⼤型商务商场、市场运营⽅对中⼩微租户适度减免疫情期间的租⾦
Encouraging operators of large markets to properly reduce/exempt the rents during the period of the virus
延迟缴纳社会保险费
卫生宣传标语Delaying the payment of social curity fees
房地产行业分析
上海Shanghai 返还失业保险费政策
Refunding the unemployment insurance premium
推迟调整社保缴费基数，并延长缴纳社会保险期
Delaying the payment of social curity fees, and delay the adjusting period of social curity fee ba
承租上述国有企业集团⾃有经营性房产从事⽣产经营活动的⾮国有中⼩企业减免部分⽉份租⾦
Free from rents of veral months for les of premis for business u held by state owned enterpris
座右铭大全简短⼟地款可申请延期或分期缴付
Delaying the payment of land conveyance fees, or to be paid in installments
⼴东Guangdong 延迟缴纳社会保险费
Delaying the payment of social curity fees
江苏Jiangsu 减免相关税费、延期申报和缴纳税款Exemption of certain taxes, delaying payment of taxes
降低企业房租成本、加强财政贴息⽀持，维持企业在疫情期间的基本运营
Reducing the cost for renting and enhancing support of finance subsidies to help enterpris with the basic operation during the epidemic period
加⼤信贷⽀持、融资担保，帮助企业及时获得经营所需的现⾦流
Enhancing support to enterpris regarding credit finance and financing guarantee to help enterpris with the ca flow
浙江Zhejiang ⼯业⽤⽔价格、⽤天然⽓价格下调
Reducing the prices for natural gas and water for industrial u
减免⼩微企业税费，延期缴纳税款
Reducing the taxes for small enterpris, delaying the tax payment
减免⼩微企业房租
胎停育的原因Reducing the rents of small enterpris
延迟缴纳社会保险费，返还失业保险费
Delaying the payment of social curity fees, and refunding the
unemployment insurance premium
本次疫情爆发后，很多在华外资企业对中国政府的疫情防控⼯作提供了积极⽀持，纷纷捐款捐物，我们了解到本所部分客户企业也通过各类渠道向重点疫区提供了医疗物资及款项⽀持。相信经过此次疫情挑战之后，中国政府和在华外资企业也将建⽴更加紧密的合作关系。
After the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus, many FIEs in China have provided strong support to the Chine government for their epidemic control, including donating funds and medical supplies. We have learned that many of our clients have also provided medical and fund support to the riously infected provinces via different channels. We believe FIEs in China would establish a stronger cooperation relationship with PRC government after the challenge brought by the virus.
[1] 参见Impact of coronavirus for British business in China
[2] 需要说明的是，末位淘汰根据中国劳动法规定并⾮合法的解除劳动关系的理由，本⽂对此不再展开论述。
It shall be noted that graded last in KPI appraisal is not the legitimate reason to terminate employment contracts. We would not discuss this issue in this article.
