Facts
M. received daily allowances from the unemployment insurance during an initial qualifying period starting from November 3, 1997. He was employed at the company H. AG from February 1 to August 13, 1998. Thereafter, he again received daily allowances. By decision of December 9, 1999, the Public Unemployment Office of the Canton of Solothurn denied a claim for unemployment compensation from the beginning of the second qualifying period to be opened on November 3, 1999, as M. did not fulfill the minimum contribution period of 12 months nor was he exempt from fulfilling the contribution period.
The Insurance Court of the Canton of Solothurn dismissed M.'s appeal. M. then filed an administrative court appeal with the aim of being awarded daily allowances from the unemployment insurance as of November 3, 1999.
Considerations
The Federal Court states that according to Art. 8 para. 1 lit. e AVIG, a person is entitled to unemployment compensation if they have fulfilled the contribution period or are exempt from it. The contribution period must be fulfilled for at least six months within the two-year qualifying period according to Art. 13 para. 1 AVIG. Since M. was only employed from February 1 to August 13, 1998 during the qualifying period from November 3, 1997 to November 2, 1999, he did not fulfill the minimum contribution period of 12 months.
It had to be examined whether M. was exempt from fulfilling the contribution period. According to Art. 14 para. 1 lit. b AVIG, an exemption is possible if the insured person was not in an employment relationship for a total of more than 12 months within the qualifying period due to illness, accident or maternity.…