After this week’s blackout, the Federation of Hotels, Restaurants and Bars of the State of São Paulo (Fhoresp) sent the São Paulo government a request for more time for the payment of taxes by establishments in the sector. According to the federation, the request is for the due date of taxes to be extended for around 250,000 establishments that were affected by the power outage in São Paulo.
For the executive director of Fhoresp, Edson Pinto, the extension is essential. “It is crucial for the continuity of the activities of thousands of accommodation and food establishments. We are asking the state government to consider extending the deadline for collecting taxes, so that companies affected by the blackout have a longer period of time to pay. This would initially help those who were affected. It would even help with maintaining jobs. Executive powers have this extension”, said, in a note, Edson Pinto.
The heavy rains and winds that hit several cities in São Paulo last Friday (11) caused seven deathsfalling trees and also left at least 2 million consumers without electricity. Even today, according to the energy company Enel, 36 thousand consumers continue to face problems with the lack of electricity in Greater São Paulo.
According to Fhoresp, the power interruption has already caused losses of around R$150 million to the sector in the first four days of the blackout. According to the entity, the biggest losers are micro and small entrepreneurs.
“These companies do not have relevant profits that could remedy the damage caused in six days of blackout. Most of them only have a salary withdrawn day by day for their own subsistence and that of their family. What is happening borders on the absurd. After all, who is going to pay the bill for the losses?”, asked the executive director of Fhoresp.
At the beginning of this week, the federation had already officially notified Enel requesting the urgent restoration of power in bars and restaurants.
Wanted by Brazil Agencythe São Paulo government’s Secretariat of Finance and Planning reported that the request made by Fhoresp was received and “sent for analysis by the technical team”.
