ZAGREB, March 26, 2020 - The president of the Croatian Employers Association (HUP), Gordana Deranja, told Hina on Thursday that no one was to blame for the COVID-19 epidemic but that she was afraid that the private sector would again suffer the most.
"The situation is not pretty, we are plagued by uncertainty, the economy is in a difficult state and we do not have a clear vision of what will happen next. It is clear that neither the government nor any of us are to blame for the epidemic, but I am afraid that the private sector will once again pay the biggest price," Deranja said.
She added that in the economy everyone "is asking for write-offs, and not for deferral", since the situation was a catastrophe.
"HUP leadership regularly communicates with the government and ministries, it is in contact with its members, we have suggested a series of measures, and it is normal that the government does what it thinks should be done. Of course, we are not satisfied with the latest package of economic measures to help workers, entrepreneurs and the economy because we are asking for write-offs, not deferral," HUP president said.
She praised the national civil protection service and the healthcare system, as well as everyone taking care of the citizens' health and standing "on the front line of defence".
"None of us know if the crisis will last for a month or two or even longer. We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we do know that there are already many of those who cannot work, which means we do not have an income. If we do not have an income, we cannot pay people since we do not have a budget like the public sector, which we have been filling for years," Gordana Deranja said.
She said that this time the private sector stood together and would not let itself be completely destroyed.
"The economy is suffering all over Croatia. It is impossible to deliver materials, many demand advance payment, and orders have come to a halt. It is a disaster, it is nobody's fault, the whole world is in this together, but then we have to show solidarity, stay at home and respect the decisions. But then there we should also be eligible for write-offs and for exemption from tax and duty payments. Imagine, the Ministry of Tourism has generously relieved us of paying tourist board membership fees. Come on, what tourism are we talking about, this is ridiculous," Deranja said.
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