The main French employer organizations asked the Government on Monday to implement support measures for merchants and businessmen affected by six nights of violence, which they condemn, after the death of Nahel, murdered at the age of 17 by a police officer.
The Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, had asked insurers this Saturday to extend the declaration deadlines, reduce the franchises and quickly compensate the professionals who were victims of the riots. It will also be possible to postpone the payment of social and tax charges for companies in crisis.
For the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CPME), this deferral of charges may not be “sufficient.” The organization, which defends the interests of SMEs, calls for “immediate and massive support measures” for merchants and tobacconists, in particular, who do not have access to partial unemployment.
The Union of local businessmen calls on the Government, insurers and banks
On Saturday, the Ministry of Economy had identified, in four nights of disturbances, a dozen shopping centers and more than 200 assaulted and looted commercial chains -including 15 burned down-, as well as 250 tobacconists, also 250 bank agencies, shops of all sizes and fast food outlets. Questioned on Monday, the Ministry of Economy indicated that it did not have an updated balance sheet.
It calls on the government to put in place “appropriate measures” – such as partial activity and deferral of charges -, insurance companies to compensate quickly and proportionally, and banks to grant affected companies “facilitation” reimbursement.
In addition to the loss of activity, the Movement of French companies (Medef) regrets “a deterioration of the image of France”.
The CPME is also in favor of postponing the end of sales, scheduled for July 25, by one week.
Source: BFM TV
