[ad_1]
The protesters mobilized on social networks and gathered at 8:00 p.m. in Victoriei Square, in front of the Government headquarters. More than 8,000 people have already confirmed their presence at the protest.
“We are protesting against the incrimination of HoReCa for the spread of Covid. We believe in the existence of this virus, we understand the seriousness of things, but we cannot agree with solving things by halves or without a reasoned analysis of the outbreaks of contagion, ”the organizers wrote on the Facebook page dedicated to the protest.
By the end of this year, it is expected that there will be massive layoffs in the HoReCa sector, the number of those laid off will reach up to 100,000 people. The industry will suffer losses of approximately three billion euros, as a result of the restrictions decided by the Government in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Călin Ile, president of the Romanian Federation of the Hotel Industry.
He challenges the decision of the Bucharest Committee for Emergency Situations to reopen restaurants and cafes, saying there is no evidence that this industry contributed to the spread of the virus.
“After this decision to close the restaurants without communication and without logically presented arguments, we will once again have to send unemployed people who with great difficulty we managed to retain them in this difficult period. Until now, we were talking about 40% of HoReCa employees being laid off before the end of the year, and now, with this decision, another 10 percent will be added, ”said Călin Ile.
The industry is down to earth
According to him, of some 230,000 people employed in hotels and restaurants in Romania at the beginning of the year, it is estimated that almost half, between 90 and 100,000 will hit the streets. Călin Ile specified that the sector has survived until now due to the decisions taken by the Government regarding the insurance of technical unemployment and the compensation of 41.5% of the salary after the return to work of people.
“We estimate that our industry will lose around 60% of its turnover in 2020. Last year we had five billion euros collected by HoReCa, and 60% means a loss of about three billion euros”, continued the representative of the industry.
He also said that many restaurants and cafes, such as those that pay rent in malls and malls, will not be able to reopen. Sector officials will ask the government for a plan of compensatory measures.
In this context, a first meeting has been scheduled for Friday at the Labor Ministry and a discussion with Prime Minister Ludovic Orban will be proposed next week.
