No consensus could be achieved with unions on the postponement of the collective leave period, Schmit regrets.
Many businesses are now forced to close shop again for a few weeks, which robs them of an opportunity to make up for losses made during the general confinement.
A significant amount of artisanal businesses are suffering under the crisis and might not make it through in the end.
A first wave of bankruptcies is expected to hit the country in Autumn, since many planned investments had to be called off. Moreover, the increased tendency of remote work has made it more difficult for businesses to attract regular customers.
Schmit also argued that the government’s financial support would be too restricted and bound to unreasonable conditions. He did, however, offer praise to the initiative of partial unemployment as a supportive measure.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
