It’s Monday exactly one month ago, alcohol sales were closed in the Municipality of Kujalleq. But for the tavern owners concerned, there is still no clarification about the compensation they can get for the period when their businesses have been forced to remain closed.
Jim Riis, who owns the taverns Hinnarissuasik and Rockhouse in Qaqortoq, has neither received compensation nor been given a plan for what any compensation should look like.
It’s Monday exactly one month ago, alcohol sales were closed in the Municipality of Kujalleq. But for the tavern owners concerned, there is still no clarification about the compensation they can get for the period when their businesses have been forced to remain closed.
Jim Riis, who owns the taverns Hinnarissuasik and Rockhouse in Qaqortoq, has neither received compensation nor been given a plan for what any compensation should look like.
– We have neither received compensation, a plan for compensation, nor even the slightest indication that there is understanding from the municipality for the closure of our business, he says to Sermitsiaq.
Fearing more layoffs
For Jim Riis, the lack of earnings means that he has to use the company’s savings to pay bills.
So far, he has had to do without the majority of employees. He has sent around seven to eight employees home, while he continues to keep his hand over three permanent employees, whom he would like to keep until the taverns can reopen.
But it cannot continue without a clarification.
– If we don’t hear something soon and get a compensation plan, I will also have to terminate them. I can’t play social worker. The company cannot afford that, he says.
He emphasizes that it is not just about his own companies. He is particularly concerned about the smaller companies that do not have the same financial leeway.
– If I don’t get paid for a few months, it probably won’t do much. I may have saved a little for bad times. But there are those who are just starting out and have used everything they have. They are the ones I am most worried about, he says.
The municipality proposed an a conto compensation
Jim Riis says that at a meeting he has proposed that the municipality find a pool so that the most financially stressed companies can receive provisional compensation.
The money could later be deducted from the final compensation if Naalakkersuisut intervenes in the case.
– Then you could give a form of a conto, especially to those who are really struggling to make the economy work right now, he says.
The municipality of Kujalleq has previously stated that Naalakkersuisut must be involved in the issue of possible compensation for the affected pubs and catering establishments.
Since 23 October, Sermitsiaq has been trying to get an answer from Naalakkersuisut about the work with a possible compensation scheme, but has not yet received an answer at the time of writing.
