Small businesses feel that politicians do not understand the seriousness of their situation and have lost faith that they will get the help they need to get through the crisis. At the same time, fears of bankruptcy are mounting after the recent closings. This is due to a recent survey of members of SMB in Norway.
On the way to a difficult new period with a dramatic closure of society, confidence in politicians among small and medium-sized enterprises in the country is low. A new study shows that 2 out of 3 companies think they will not get enough help from politicians in times of crisis.
The survey was conducted between December 8-10 and a total of 430 companies took part in it. SMB's director general in Norway, Jørund Rytman, does not believe that the measures introduced by the government on Tuesday morning will significantly change this picture.
- It's good that the government is coming with the package that was launched today, but companies are building on the experience of the previous shutdown. Many people now feel completely on their own in this crisis. This, of course, increases the fear of bankruptcy, says Rytman.
– This applies not only to restaurant and catering industry, which, after the Christmas table was canceled and the ban on pouring alcohol was introduced yesterday, are once again the biggest losers - he adds.
The biggest challenges for companies are short-term liquidity and the struggle to keep employees at work
Currently, the biggest challenges for companies are short-term liquidity and the fight to retain employees At work. Above half of the companies already have liquidity problems as a result prolonged pandemic.
- We can see that, above all, the challenge is to cope with the taxes and levies imposed by the authorities, which create problems. Even if it is now open to postponing it, we know from experience that this is a disadvantage. First of all, because large costs have been shifted forward, and because the state is demanding exorbitantly high interest rates for such a delay, says Rytman.
The survey shows that 22 percent of companies considered firing employees after signals that came last week. Thanks to the recent austerity measures, there are indications that this number has increased, says Rytman.
- Now it is urgent to introduce the details of the payroll support system so that companies know what they are dealing with. There is great uncertainty at the moment and it is completely devastating, emphasizes Rytman.
Pictured: Jørund Rytman, CEO of SMB Norge
Source: SMB Norge
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