Hospitality Industry Pleads For Right To Earn Livelihood

Save Livelihood, Save Lives; HRAWI Pleads To Govt. For Lifting Restrictions

Mumbai, July 28: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has expressed anguish against the unfair and unjustified imposition of restrictions on hotels and restaurants in the State. The Association has cited the unfortunate death of a Virar-based hotelier who committed suicide a few days ago, due to loss of livelihood. The hotelier was being hounded by debtors and with no means or source of income to pay off the same, was coerced into taking his own life. This is just one incident in a string of incidences where owners of Hospitality establishments succumbed to mental stress caused by financial losses. HRAWI has voiced out that hotel and restaurants owners are being pushed to the edge by restricting their right to livelihoods. The Association has pleaded that they either be allowed to run their businesses as usual or if not, at least be offered reliefs and waivers by the Government to unburden them from statutory financial obligations.

“It is extremely upsetting to know that a hotelier decided to end his life because of financial issues. And unfortunately, this is not an isolated incidence. Over the last year and a half, other similar incidences have occurred and the underlying reason has been the same. Financial loss caused by the lockdown and the continued restrictions has taken away the right of earning a livelihood. The industry is going through a very tough phase with no respite in sight. Hotels and restaurants owners are grappling with several issues including loss of business, payment of salaries, maintenance of the property, and the additional burden of rent, license fees, taxes, statutory fees, utility bills. This is leading to indescribable mental stress and is forcing entrepreneurs to take drastic steps. No person should be put in a position where they feel that ending their life is the solution to their woes. It is high time the Government wakes and takes this issue seriously,” says Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

HRAWI has requested for revision in timings and protocols to operate restaurants without restrictions in cities and districts with very low COVID19 cases. It has requested that restaurants falling under level 2 or 1 be allowed to operate as per the timings permitted under respective licenses. The HRAWI has asked that restaurants be allowed to operate through the week between 7 am and 12:30 am including Saturdays and Sundays.

“We have made several attempts to explain the plight of the industry to the Government and its authorities. Over the last fifteen months, we have knocked on all the doors and made several representations offering all possible recommendations to the Government. Unfortunately, not much has come through. The series of incidences involving hoteliers and restaurateurs ending their lives over business should act as a warning bell for the Government. The industry should be offered financial relief in terms of license fees and other statutory obligations for the losses suffered since the beginning of the pandemic. Also, restaurants should now be allowed to remain open daily from 7 am to 12:30 am including weekends. There is no reason why we aren’t being allowed to, at present. The Government needs to instil confidence amongst business owners and offer hope by allowing them to earn their livelihoods and to those who depend on them for their livelihoods,” concludes Mr. Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI.

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