Coronavirus impact may render 3.8 cr people jobless in tourism, hospitality sector in India
The coronavirus impact could render 3.8 crore people jobless, which is around 70 percent of the total workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector, according to a grouping
New Delhi: The coronavirus impact could render 3.8 crore people jobless, which is around 70 percent of the total workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector, according to a grouping.
The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) also said there should be a support fund for twelve months to support basic salaries with "direct transfer" to the affected tourism employees.
"As a result of this pandemic, the Indian tourism industry is looking at pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment," FAITH said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Representational image. Reuters.
Related Articles
It is believed that around 70 percent out of a total 5.5 crore workforce could get unemployed, which is around 3.8 crore people. This effect of job losses and layoffs has already begun throughout the country, it added.
The figure is for direct as well as indirect jobs.
"A large percentage of total tourism business activity of India, which is estimated at $28 billion+ in forex and upwards of Rs 2 lakh crore in domestic tourism activity will be at economic risk through the year. Thus, in excess of Rs 5 lakh crore of the direct tourism industry and almost double that of total economic activity is at risk," the letter said.
With declining revenues, almost all tourism businesses are running out of working capital. However, with the responsibility of staff and payment of their salaries, EMIs to service, advance tax, PF, ESIC, GST, excise and other state levies, bank guarantees, security deposits, this industry needs your support now more than ever, it added.
"We request you for a twelve-month moratorium on our EMIs of principal and interest payments on loans and working capital from Financial Institutions (both banking & non-banking)," the letter said.
Additionally, FAITH requested the PM for doubling working capital limits on interest-free and collateral-free terms. This will prevent all tourism businesses from going bankrupt, it added.
"Sir, additionally to prevent insolvency, we request you for a deferment for 12 months of all statutory dues whether GST, Advance Tax payments, PF, ESIC, customs duties at the central government level or at any state government level the excise fees, levies, taxes, power & water charges, bank guarantees & security deposits and deferment of all renewals, across the tourism, travel, hospitality & aviation industry," the letter said.
FAITH also requested the PM to set up a support fund for twelve months on the lines of MNREGA to support basic salaries with 'direct transfer' to affected tourism employees, it added.
"TCS (tax collected at source) on travel has been proposed in Finance Bill 2020 to be levied from 1 April, 2020 and we request that it should not be introduced as it will displace business from India to overseas, which will lead to shutting down businesses of most Indian tourism companies," the letter said.
It also requested a complete GST Tax Holiday for the tourism, travel and hospitality industry for a period of 12 months.
The letter requested the PM to, "set up...a national tourism task force of all relevant ministries of the central government along with the ministry of tourism and chief secretaries of State governments and industry stakeholders to meet regularly to fast-track all tourism investment approvals."
also read
End of Work from Home? Are TCS employees being forced to come to office?
TCS has begun delivering notes to staff members who don't put in at least 12 days of in-office work each month. The IT company reportedly threatened employees with disciplinary action if they failed to abide by its new policy. The firm is just one of the many that has put an end to work from home
Tidying Up Space: Scientists are experimenting with Star Trek-like weapon to clean up space debris
In a development that looks straight out a Sci-Fi film or TV show, scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder, are trying to make a "tractor beam" or a machine that uses magnetic force to push or pull objects without touching them, to clear up space debris
Why Bali has issued a new list of 'dos and don'ts' for tourists
Bali authorities have come up with 12 rules for foreign tourists, including asking them not to climb sacred structures or take 'indecent' photos at holy places. This comes as incidents of unruly behaviour by visitors have become more frequent in Indonesia’s ‘Island of the Gods’