A survey with 1,300 businessmen in the bar and restaurant sector indicated that 76% had at least one leave of absence of a worker contaminated by covid-19 or influenza.
The survey by the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel) was carried out from January 15 to 27 and the question to the establishments considered the situation in the previous 30 days. On average, 24% of the workforce has been laid off because of the new coronavirus.
Despite the departures, the association points out that, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, there are more establishments with a profit than with a loss. While 34% said they had made a profit, 31% indicated a loss in the period of one month. For 34%, the accounts closed in balance. In March 2021, this data indicated that 82% of entrepreneurs recorded losses.
Abrasel also points out that the December result was better than the previous year. For 66% of entrepreneurs in the sector, revenue was higher this month than in the same period in 2020. In November, there was growth for 59% of companies. Year-to-date, however, 45% said they were at a loss in 2021.
The entity’s figures still indicate high indebtedness. Loans through the National Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses (Pronampe) were requested by 51% of companies, of which 20% already have at least one installment in arrears.
“The rise in the Selic, the program’s index, meant that the interest for those who took the loan had a brutal increase”, points out Abrasel in a note.
