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THE INDONESIAN Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) hopes that the government will provide compensation or relaxation. So, that the hotel and restaurant business sector survives in the midst of the pandemic, especially during the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).
According to Maulana Yusran, the Secretary General of PHRI, Maulana Yusran, on Wednesday (8/4) said that we hope that there will be truly effective compensation. We regret that there is no compensation as a result of the policy of implementing PPKM so that business players are forced to survive on their own.
“On Tuesday (3/8) the government decided to extend (PPKM) Levels 3 and 4 from 2 to 9 August 2021 in a number of Java and Bali areas. A number of rules contained in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) No. 27 of 2021 are not much different from the previous regulations,” he said.
He explained that the restaurant was still not allowed to operate fully, only accepting delivery and takeway services. While the non-quarantine handling hotel sector is still limited, it can only operate with a maximum capacity of 50% staff.
“We are not tired of submitting suggestions to the government that the situation in the hotel and restaurant sector under our organization is not in a good enough situation to survive,” Maulana said.
He added that the hotel and restaurant sector is currently facing a critical situation. This sector is very dependent on the movement of people and activities in the circle around the place of business. If access is difficult, the market segment will automatically disappear.
“I underlined four relaxations that the government needs to provide. First, related to local taxes, which are still the burden of hotel and restaurant businesses. According to him, the government should issue a policy for tax relief because the condition of this business sector cannot be fully opened,” he remarked.
The second, he continued, was related to banking obligations that were not completely lost even though the government issued POJK No. 48/2020 concerning National Economic Stimulus to provide relaxation to sectors affected by COVID-19, including the tourism sector.
“How can business actors pay bank interest if the company does not make money and cannot operate? This is difficult,” Maulana underlined.
Third, related to the burden of electricity costs which are still high. Maulana said that the electricity paid should be adjusted to the amount of usage and usage in the hotel and restaurant sector.
Finally, it is related to direct cash assistance (BLT) for workers. Regarding this, Maulana regrets that the Ministry of Manpower only uses BPJS Employment data based on activity until June 2021 to distribute aid. [antaranews/photo special]
