Business owners from Kuźnica municipality (Podlaskie Voivodeship) ask the state for support. In September, due to the migrant crisis at the Belarus border, a state of emergency was introduced in the area, which lasted for two months. Recently, a ban on entering the area has been imposed by the government. "We want someone to hear us, as we're in a very difficult situation. Our businesses grinded to a halt, we have no source of income," they alarm.
On September 2, due to the migrant pressure at the border with Belarus, the government introduced a state of emergency for 30 days. The parliament later agreed to extend it for another 30 days until Novemeber 30.
The state of emergency was not extended again, but in its place a ban on entering the area has been imposed. It encompasses 115 locations in Podlaskie province, and 68 in Lubelskie. As a result, just like under the state of emergency, also journalists are banned from freely entering the zone. Media are allowed in only in organised groups assissted by Border Guard officers.
During one of such visits - on Monday evening - TVN24 reporters met with a group of business owners from Kuźnica, whose firms suffered losses due to the border crisis.
"We have virtually zero turnover"
"We want someone to hear us, as we're in a very difficult situation," a woman told reporters. "At the moment we have no idea what to do. Our businesses, which are located at the border crossing and surrounding area, have grinded to a halt. We have no source of income," she complained.
The business owners say that many firms have been left without any help from the government, such as currency exchange points, inns, shops, and customs brokers.
"At this point we have virtually zero turnover, and we need to pay our employees their regular wages. We also have stored goods, which have expiry dates, and all this just sits and waits, while we have no clue how long all this will last, and how to supply later," said the owner of a border area shop.
"We have sent a letter to the Chancellery (Prime Minister's Chancellery - edit.) asking to extend the compensation regulations by other sectors. We have no idea if this is going to be considered at all," said another woman whose business has been seriously affected by the ban on entering.
Compensation for businesses
By the end of September, Poland adopted a law allowing hotels, restaurants, and tourism industry firms to file for compensation up to 65% of average monthly revenue from businesses conducted in the area placed in the state of emergency. June, July, and August of 2021, are the basis for calculating the amount of the compensation.
By mid-November, 83 companies have filed for such compensation. It was granted in 51 of those cases.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, TVN24 Pomorze
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24