Small business owners often live from day to day, earning money today for tomorrow's fuel. When nothing is earned, everything literally comes to a halt. Cancellation of existing bookings and the absence of new bookings makes it even more difficult to survive during this corona crisis.

The measures are not only a serious blow for the catering businesses, the current situation is also untenable for taxi companies. Self-employed people and companies are more than happy about the water. Many municipalities have outsourced student and other transport to taxi companies. That transport comes to a standstill almost everywhere because of strict corona virus measures. 

shortening working hours not always the solution

“What is the benefit of short-time working hours in our sector as a self-employed person without a self-employed person? My income is virtually nil and working time reduction is not the solution for me, ”says van Rietveld.

The government states that companies should not be affected by the crisis and is doing everything it can to prevent bankruptcies. Support measures are the order of the day and perhaps one of the highest priorities next to public health in The Hague 'country in crisis' to assist. The cabinet will act as guarantor for SMEs that can no longer pay off their debts. 

"Where we normally have 300 trips per day, there are now 20 trips and drivers are waiting for 5 hours without work, what misery awaits us."

taxi companies are in financial trouble

Trade unions and trade association KNV previously asked municipalities for support for duped taxi companies. As schools close and meetings are scrapped, student and special transport is now stalled, but wages and other fixed costs must be paid. 

“Small business owners often live from day to day and today earn the money for tomorrow's fuel. When nothing is earned, everything literally comes to a standstill ”, there can be nothing against it afterwards.

own insurance or buffer

De shortening working hours is only for larger companies. Self-employed persons are dependent on their own insurance or buffer. And that is the problem with most freelancers because there is in most cases no buffer, let alone that these entrepreneurs have insured themselves against loss of income.

How do you request a reduction in working hours?

First apply for a permit at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW). Please note, due to the large crowds, you can see the screen below. With this permit you can go to the UWV for the application. For more information about the scheme, visit Entrepreneurs Square. Extra capacity has been deployed at the UWV and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment to process the applications.

Also read: KNV asks municipalities to continue to pay for transport