Exceptional Employment Retention Allowance
According to loi du pays no. 2025-15 of 19 August 2025 and the local press, the scheme was established for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2025, which has now passed, in the form of an hourly allowance set at 100% of the salaire minimum garanti (guaranteed minimum wage), less the contribution calédonienne de solidarité, granted by order of the government after applications have been examined. A press article from October 2026 mentions an extension until 31 December 2026, which would match the date shown in our data, but this extension has not been confirmed by an official text in the sources consulted.
Created in 2025 against the backdrop of a deteriorating economic situation in New Caledonia, the allocation exceptionnelle de maintien dans l’emploi (exceptional job retention allowance) aims to prevent redundancies in weakened businesses, taking over from the “spécifique exactions” short-time working scheme.
Funded by Gouvernement de Nouvelle-Calédonie
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Who can apply
Weakened businesses in New Caledonia that used short-time working between 1 May and 30 June 2025, or that have been affected by persistent difficulties since the events of May 2024, according to the criteria set out in a government deliberation. Employees of these businesses also receive immediate financial support.
Eligibility conditions
The allowance is granted by order of the Government of New Caledonia after individual examination of the business’s application, on the basis of economic hardship criteria set out in a specific deliberation. It replaces the earlier “spécifique exactions” short-time working scheme.
What the scheme covers
This is not project funding but support for payroll costs: the allowance compensates for a temporary reduction in employees’ activity rather than financing an investment.
Amount and funding terms
According to the texts consulted, the allowance takes the form of an hourly payment set at 100% of the salaire minimum garanti (guaranteed minimum wage), less the contribution calédonienne de solidarité. No overall ceiling per business has been identified in the sources.
How to apply
1. Check that your business meets the economic hardship criteria set by the government (recent short-time working or impact of the events of May 2024). 2. Compile the required file (list of employees concerned, latest payslips). 3. Submit the application to the departments of the Government of New Caledonia. 4. The allowance is granted by order once the application has been reviewed.
Timeline
The scheme was established by loi du pays no. 2025-15 for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2025, which has now passed. An extension until 31 December 2026 is mentioned by the local press (October 2026), but no official confirmation was found in the sources consulted — check directly with the Government of New Caledonia before taking any steps.
Key facts
- Funder
- Gouvernement de Nouvelle-Calédonie
- Type of funding
- Grant
- Status
- Open
- Closes
- 31 December 2026
- Geographic scope
- Not specified
Frequently asked questions
Is this scheme still active at the end of 2026?
Our record shows it may be available until 31 December 2026; a press article from October 2026 mentions an extension along these lines, but no official confirmation was found — check with the Government of New Caledonia.
How much is the allowance?
An hourly payment set at 100% of the salaire minimum garanti (guaranteed minimum wage), less the contribution calédonienne de solidarité, according to loi du pays no. 2025-15.
Official source
Official Gouvernement de Nouvelle-Calédonie page ↗(data_gouv_aides_entreprises)Applications are made from the official source (usually in French).
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