It became clear how many Lithuanians used “underground” services: some admit they would continue to use them.

Almost one in seven people used shadow services

In the survey, respondents were asked if they had used prohibited services during quarantine.

While the vast majority, 85 percent, said no, 15 percent, which is almost one in seven, believed they had used these services, of which 3 percent said no. He said he had done it so many times, and 12 percent. – A generation.

According to the survey, the most frequently prohibited services were used by women, metropolitan residents, young and middle-aged people under 45 years of age. people.

Ignas Zokas, head of Spinter Research, which conducted the survey, described the survey results as “common sense” and as indicators of a fairly orderly and responsible society, but agreed that if the strict quarantine had been extended even further. , the figures would have been completely different.

When asked which services were mainly used in the “subway”, the majority mentioned beauty services, 56.7% said yes, health services such as sports clubs and massages, 15% used and restaurants and bars – 5 , 6%. Percent.

Residents using informal services (15% of the total population) were asked if they would continue to use the “underground” service after release from quarantine.

Almost 40 percent. He said he would no longer do it, but more than 50 percent. He assured that he was determined to do so.

“Let’s say that almost 40 percent. Are still determined to return completely from the” underground “, and the group that intends to continue using these services would add up to 55.3%, more than half or every second person who has used them, or 8% of the whole society ”, – I. Zokas commented on the results obtained.

It is true, according to him, after evaluating the country in which we have an underground economy and how many people work for us illegally, the responses and indicators received are, according to him, completely normal.

“Of course, they would like the little ones, but in the general context, the quarantine itself has not created any wave of restraint of dissatisfaction that would have put people in the shadows even more severely.

I don’t think this result is very intimidating. Without the quarantine, people would discover another reason to use shadow services and do the same. And this problem, to one degree or another, exists in all countries ”, he concluded.

A total of 1,014 respondents were interviewed during the Spinter survey. The distribution of study participants by gender, age and place of residence is proportional to the distribution of the population in Lithuania. Possible 3.1 percent. error.

Barber Representative: Can’t Quickly Get Out of the Shade

Jolanta Mačiulienė, president of the Association of Hairdressers and Beauty Specialists, said she agreed that the scope of shady activities had increased considerably during the quarantine.

“In general, I think in 2010. the shadow in Lithuania was clean when everyone wanted ‘white’ wages. And it was really fun to see that everything is improving, and now all that instability has pushed towards that (shadow). it’s clear where the money comes from, I’m talking about state support here.

In the past, perhaps we did it out of ignorance, because we believed, we did not know what our workplace would be like, but to this day people do it all consciously ”, he commented on the growing shadow in the country. the beginning of Independence.

„<..> And now everyone works for themselves, people have seen that they can successfully work at home without paying taxes. <...>

When you are very sick, you ask for help, and when you don’t get it, you start doing “black jobs.” Apparently that’s what happened.

People realized that they would not win anything, and when the 260 Eur support would drop, it is not clear who to expect, if they can win it anyway – he considered, adding that the illegal business is “coming out” at such critical moments. like this.

“We feel very bad for those who paid taxes, who sat at home, did not work, who received even those small benefits, lived and someone celebrated during the plague,” J. Mačiulienė criticized those who worked unofficially during the quarantine.

When asked if the quarantine would be eased, businesses and the beauty sector would gradually emerge from the shadows, the association president was quick to say that this was not to be expected.

“It’s tough. I really don’t doubt that some will stay (in the shadows – ed.).

You don’t have to be very smart not to look at the social space and see how people are going to buy hairdressing chairs, mobile toilets. Because if I have my workplace somewhere, why do I need that barber chair or sink? Therefore, people are preparing.

I really sincerely believe in the order of those people who can no longer survive and are committing a crime against the economy. This black marketing is not only in Lithuania, but throughout Europe, ”said J. Mačiulienė.

Proposes to the state to reduce the regulatory burden

Guoda Azguridienė, head of research at the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI), also commented that LFMI’s previous parallel research shows that people are much more likely to tolerate hidden activities or use them themselves when their economic situation deteriorates. .

“Today, it is not only the financial difficulties, but also the fatigue due to the quarantine, which also worsens the general condition of the people and adjusts their options.

Both companies and individuals experience quarantine restrictions as regulations, and regulations, along with taxes, are the main reasons for the emergence of hidden activities and the desire to use them.

People who better understand the meaning of quarantine are likely to be less motivated, but for those who don’t understand or dig deeper, quarantine restrictions may seem like a justifiable reason not to meet other obligations and act in the shadows, “said G Azguridienė.

According to her, companies, by providing services in the shade, take more risks than the resident who uses them, so it is the attitude of the latter that is most important.

“Everyone understands that with the lifting of quarantine restrictions, much of the incentive to operate in the shadows will disappear. But certainly not everyone. The pandemic has affected many companies and many people, and their economic situation has deteriorated, therefore that the incentives to operate in the shadows are greater than, say, before the pandemic.

Therefore, it is very important that bureaucracy and other nonsensical regulatory burdens are quickly reduced by the state, and taxes or other obligations are not increased in any way, “he said.