A state-mandated burden on employment of roughly 16%?
Or - put another way - a state-mandated reduction in wages of 16%.
If its all workers, not just State, then I guess it all comes out in the wash. But I bet it isn't all workers, and so these European countries have developed bizarre internal fault-lines of worker recompense.
Both the state and private companies have to pay this to their employees.
i guess it´s even more than 16% because if you have to pay higher loans (there for 2 times a year the “double” amout of money you usually have to pay) you normally fall into a higher tax category for this month so the state will tax you even more because of this. Of course this “hits” both the employer and the employee. on the pro side this “extra money” boosts the consume.