Event industry on the brink without immediate aid

At present, the live communications industry is facing tasks the likes of which society has not had to cope with for a long time. As the industry association writes, the entire situation surrounding the corona virus is already "running completely and at breakneck speed out of control" and no one has any idea how much worse it will get.

Expo Event Swiss LiveCom Association launched a survey among its 160 active member companies. The following figures emerged:

• Job cuts of 30% are expected by the end of April if no financial assistance is available by then.
• The effective liquidity protection of the companies varies completely by nature, but is on average between one and a maximum of three months.
• The first layoffs have already had to be announced, although this is the absolute last measure and brutal emergency solution for all companies.
• 96% of the members surveyed have already had to apply for short-time work.
• The foregone gross sales since February 28, 2020 amount to approximately 260 million Swiss francs.
• The gross sales loss expected by the end of May 2020 is approximately 450 million Swiss francs.

In this context, the association welcomes the measure announced on Wednesday by the Federal Council of the legal standstill in the debt collection system from Thursday until and including April 4, 2020, the effect of which, however, is more of a psychological nature. Also welcomed are the 10 billion francs made available for short-time work and bridging loans.

The main demands of the industry association, however, are quick and unbureaucratic measures, which is why it proposes a few concrete ones:

• A retroactive application of the short-time compensation, so that also the up to now accrued
• loss can be claimed.
• Suspension of federal taxes, value-added taxes, and cantonal and municipal taxes without interest on arrears run for the companies.
• Special regulation or suspension of payment of contributions for social insurances / family allowances without negative consequences for the companies.
• Immediate expansion of the scope of application for short-time work to include fixed-term contracts, temporary employment relationships, business owners, apprentices, persons caring for their children at home due to school closures, and employees' spouses

Expo Event Swiss LiveCom Association will again present these demands and the comprehensive factual situation to the federal government.