Durban -
The restaurant sector is to approach the government, all guns blazing, in an effort to overcome the negative impact of load shedding.
“Load shedding is crippling our sector,” Wendy Alberts, chief executive of the Restaurant Association, representing 3 000 eateries, told The Independent on Saturday.
“What relief is the government going to give my sector?” she asked, pointing out that not all outlets could afford generators, which could cost up to R4 000 a day to keep going.
“A number of restaurants have reported to us that they often have no ice.”
She suggested the government provide funds to the sector for generators, and that in the meantime restaurants should be eligible for tax relief against the running costs of such equipment.
Alberts also questioned what action the Department of Health was taking, as it was often difficult for restaurants to lose money and remain compliant with health regulations.
She went on to say that load shedding impacted on food security at restaurants, and that there were several ripple effects, such as hygiene standards. “Staff may be unable to wash their uniforms when they go home.”
Alberts added that load shedding had caused many people to depend more on restaurants.
“When they cannot go home to cook, they come to restaurants. While this has increased turnover for some, there are others that are suffering, as they do not have the facilities to keep business going.”
She also said her organisation was advising its members to examine their lease contracts and, where applicable, get landlords to make it possible for them to do business.
“We shall absolutely approach government. I think the country is in disarray,” said Alberts.
“We are not sitting back and allowing the government and Eskom to bully us.”
Independent on Saturday