Head of Umih Ile-de-France, Franck Delvau does not hide his disappointment. Unlike the bakers, the restaurateurs for whom he is one of their representatives have not obtained from the government the possibility of terminating their energy contracts free of charge, on a case-by-case basis, in the event of a “prohibitive” price increase.
A difference in treatment assumed by Bruno Le Maire. “The situation is very different. I remind you of a key principle for the year 2023: the aid will now go to those who need it most,” the Economy Minister said on Wednesday. “Bakers have increased the price of butter, flour, all raw materials, by 20, 30, 40% and electricity. They are the only ones in this case”, with the exception of some other professions such as “butchers, who are also in real trouble. Restaurant owners are not in the same situation,” explained the Bercy tenant.
Which triggered the anger of an entire profession: “We are outraged by Bruno Le Maire’s statement,” Franck Delvau reacted to BFM Business. “We are in the same situation as bakers, with our ovens and our cold rooms”, he is indignant.
“We are also big consumers of energy”
The difficulties faced by restaurateurs are “very similar to those faced by bakers,” Franck Trouet, spokesman for the independent hotel and restaurant workers union, GNI, confirmed to AFP.
In this context, Franck Delvau claims “exactly the same thing” that the bakers got. And even more: “We do not ask on a case-by-case basis. Each artisan must be able to get out of the contracts that they forced us to sign overnight”. He assures that the restaurateurs whose contracts were running out signed new offers at crazy prices “under the threat” that their electricity supply would be cut off.
As a result, some have seen their bill explode, sometimes going from 800 to more than 10,000 euros per month. A situation that has already forced restaurateurs to close, at least temporarily. “A second wave of closures is coming at the end of January”, also predicts the head of Umih Ile-de-France, recalling that “after TotalEnergies, we will receive new invoices from EDF and Engie on this date, with exorbitant amounts”. .
Restaurateurs received in Bercy on Thursday
Like the RNB, Franck Delvau also claims access to the regulated tariff for all reclosers, the tariff shield being reserved at this stage for VSEs whose power requirement is less than or equal to 36 kVA. In his absence, “we want providers to reconsider their prices,” he explains.
Restaurant owners can still benefit from the electric damper, but Franck Delvau considers this device “insufficient”. As for the bill payment help desk, “restaurateurs cannot fill out” the form on the administration site. “It’s too complicated,” laments the head of Umih Ile-de-France.
The restaurateurs’ representatives will finally be received on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. by the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire and the Delegate Minister for SMEs Olivia Grégoire, Bercy announced on Wednesday. “Obviously we will receive them as we have each time, but not all of them will have the same devices,” warned Bruno Le Maire however. “This meeting will be an opportunity for ministers to educate about all existing aid,” said the Ministry of Economy. Franck Delvau says that he is nevertheless “determined” to get new aid. “If necessary, we go to roundabouts. That’s it or we die.”
Source: BFM TV
