The ZDH argues that the fight against the pandemic should not only be about infection control and virus containment. It is also important to avert insolvencies due to excessive indebtedness or illiquidity. (Photo: © Bartolomiej Pietrzyk/123RF.com)
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At the economic summit on pandemic management, the ZDH is calling for businesses to be protected from insolvency. The bakery trade is demanding improvements to economic aid.
Even after the coronavirus economic summit, the skilled trades sector is still waiting for a concrete reopening plan for closed businesses. At least it has become clear that managing the pandemic cannot consist solely of infection control and virus containment. Protecting businesses must also play a major role.
"To avert numerous bankruptcies due to over-indebtedness or illiquidity and thus save many jobs and apprenticeships, the extension of loss carryback to two, or better yet three, years must be implemented now," explains Hans Peter Wollseifer , President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH). He criticizes the Federal Ministry of Finance 's obstruction , saying it is "no longer acceptable."
"After a year of pandemic, it's incomprehensible that lockdown concepts weren't conceived and designed together with lockdown-off concepts from the outset," said Wollseifer. His demand: create planning certainty through a "transparent, comprehensible reopening plan based on clear criteria."
The skilled trades sector expects the federal and state governments to present a reopening strategy by March 3rd at the latest . Any insolvency will create a significant gap, especially after the pandemic . This will also deprive the state of tax revenue and levies needed to finance its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
The baking industry is therefore calling for improvements to the economic aid programs . Large parts of the sector are facing difficulties due to the pandemic, says Michael Wippler , President of the Central Association of the German Baking Trade . "Bakery cafés have been closed for more than 100 days, and businesses have suffered significant losses in sales and profits."
Specifically, he proposes extending the third round of bridging aid to companies that have suffered less than a 30 percent drop in revenue . "A 30 percent loss in revenue is unsuitable as the sole benchmark for assessing the economic crisis of companies." Therefore, the threshold for applying for economic aid should be lowered.
Wippler: "Economic aid must reach those who need it as quickly as possible ." The baking industry is also demanding a reopening plan for cafes. "After almost 100 days of lockdown, restaurants need a phased plan for a gradual reopening . Businesses must be able to plan reliably for the future." Hygiene and safety protocols are already in place.
Sources: ZDH / Central Association of the German Bakery Trade
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