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| On the afternoon of the 28th, a notice on the availability of disaster support funds is posted on a shopping street in Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul. 2020.12.28/News1 © News1 Reporter Lee Seung-bae |
“It will help, but it’s insignificant….”
On the 29th, the government is planning to announce the third disaster subsidy measures that will provide up to 3 million won from next month to small business owners and self-employed people suffering from the aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). It is showing a gloomy reaction.
It is not a level of support to escape management difficulties as the situation has already been pushed to the edge of the cliff due to the prolonged corona 19 and the successively strengthened social distancing. In particular, there were many voices saying that this disaster support fund is in the name of rent, which is not enough to make up for it.
Lee Mo, who runs a fitness center in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, raised his voice, saying, “There is no conscience” about the government’s third disaster support payment policy for small business owners and self-employed people.
The estimated disaster support fund Lee will receive is 3 million won. It is less than the monthly rent. He complained, “Only the rental fee and maintenance fee is about 4.5 million won per month,” and “(with 2.5 steps of social distancing in the metropolitan area) I couldn’t open the door for a month.”
According to the Party Administration, small business owners and self-employed people affected by the spread of Corona 19 will receive a third disaster support fund of 1 million to 3 million won starting next month. Small business owners and self-employed persons with annual sales of 400 million won or less receive 1 million won. An additional KRW 1 million is provided for business owners such as cafes and restaurants, which are designated as group-restricted businesses, and 2 million KRW, respectively, to business owners such as karaoke rooms, billiards, and fitness centers, which are prohibited to gather. Accordingly, the total amount of support is 5 trillion won, and the beneficiaries are reserved at 5.8 million.
Small business owners and self-employed businesses in the collective limited industry, where the situation is better than Mr. Lee, are also responding that they are not happy with the disaster support fund.
Kim Mo (50), president of a rib restaurant near Seoul City Hall, said, “(The 3rd disaster support fund) compensates for the damage for a month.”
Mr. Park Mo (53), the president of a nearby Japanese-style tavern, also said, “There is no labor cost for one person. It is not positive to scoop it up. I don’t want to receive it.”
He even offered to allow an hour extension instead of subsidies. Mr. Park argued, “We are restricting business until 9 pm, so customers don’t come at all,” and argued, “If you increase the business hours by only 1 hour until 10 pm, it will be better.”
It was pointed out that it was somewhat regrettable about the policy to increase the rent reduction tax credit ratio from 50% to 70% in order to expand the participation of lessors.
Park Mo (58), who runs a cafe in Jung-gu, Seoul, said, “In Nara, tax credits are given to the owner (rental) to cut the rent, but it is more effective for us to apply directly.”
The government is also considering a plan to pay 500,000 to 1 million won to special type workers such as courier and taxi drivers. The workers responded positively to the news, but said that additional countermeasures, such as realization of shipping costs and direct company support, should be accompanied.
Nam Mo, 48, a courier engineer, said, “It’s better to give it than not giving it disaster support, but it’s not the main concern.” Said.
Corporate taxi driver Jeong Mo, 50, said, “It is said that corporate taxi drivers receive about 500,000 won this time, but this is better than not giving because it covers the damage a month,” and “There are no customers after the social distancing step 2.5. “This will continue, but it would be better if the government supports the company and the company supports the driver.”
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| On the afternoon of the 28th, taxis are lined up in front of Seoul Station. From January 1 of next year, the government will pay up to 3 million won to small business owners and self-employed people who have suffered damage from the re-proliferation of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). This support is expected to provide up to 1 million won in support for stable livelihoods to the underprivileged, including special type workers (special high school) and freelancers. 2020.12.28/News1 © News1 Reporter Hwang Ki-seon |