Restaurant Industry Respects PM's Decision, Demands stimulus package post Lockdown
Restaurant Industry Respects PM's Decision, Demands stimulus package post Lockdown

Restaurant Industry respected PM Narendra Modi’s decision of extension of the lockdown till 3rd May 2020 but have demanded relaxation for its employees by allocating unemployment pay cover to all employees covered under the ESIC Act.

“According to me, we have one chance to control the situation by opting for a hard path and taking strict decisions for the betterment of the country and its citizens. This will be productive for everyone and will lead to a positive outcome rather than to struggle for a very long and difficult fight. Also, the decision to gradually start checking all the areas from 20th April for the cases and incidences that are under control will also help in boosting the economy,” said Sneh Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Baker's Dozen.

The sector has also supported the Hon’ble Prime Minister in fulfilling his vision of compassion and care for the underprivileged and daily wage earners during the current crisis. In his address to the nation earlier today, PM Modi appealed to every Indian to accord topmost priority to providing food to the daily wage workers.

Commenting on the same Vipul Hirani - Co-Founder, Crafters Taphouse added, “The announcement made by Hon. PM is just a continuation of the steps that Hon. CM Shri. Udhav Thackereyji had already announced on 11th April. These steps are in the right direction.” He also added that the entire hospitality industry is looking forward to concrete steps from the concerned authorities with regards to providing relief to the sector post removal of the lockdown. “I expect the opening of the restaurants to be based on the condition of social distancing norms to be followed even if the threat has subsided considerably and hence, the hospitality sector is expected to be under considerable pressure even after the lockdown is removed. In such a scenario if relief is not provided to the sector, it is likely that a large number of establishments will have to shut shop which will lead to a large number of job losses,” he added.

Meanwhile, restaurant industry is continuously asking for help from the Govt to stop the sector from loosing employees and workers. On Monday, NRAI also wrote a letter to Niti Ayog for unemployment pay cover to all employees covered under the ESIC Act in full till lockdown and 50% post that till March-2021. The Restaurant Industry with an annual turnover of approximately INR 4 Lakh Crore and providing direct employment to over 7 million Indians is in a very precarious situation currently, fighting a grim battle for its basic survival.

“We are requesting the government to extend the financial support to the F&B industry because 90% of the brands are in huge losses. If the government agrees for the online delivery of Craft beers till the lockdown is closed that would help the craft beer industry to sustain in this crisis period,” shared Subbaraju Penmatsa, Managing Director, Prost Brewpub (Bangalore and Hyderabad).

 
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