Page 8 - aruba-today-20210105

A8
Tuesday 5 January 2021

2021: what is expected?

Aruba Food

& Beverage

Association urges

for clarity and

involvement

ORANJESTAD — “We are informed afterwards tion to the Governor on his request where they
by our government about decisions that influ- showed a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportuni-
ence our businesses directly, for example the ties, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. They discussed
curfew and its related hours of closing,” says how the sector can get out of this situation. Van
the president of Aruba Food & Beverage Asso- Nes stated, “Also we presented how we have
ciation (AFBA), Jan van Nes. The Food & Bever- gone through the pandemic as of March. One
age sector has suffered and is still suffering due question we asked the Governor which he
to the Covid-19 crisis and the future is insecure. could not answer was ‘What happens if Aruba
“But it could be better when we are involved does not comply with the Dutch conditions that
with governmental decisions from the begin- apply to the receipt of wage subsidy?’ This is
ning and work on solutions in a transparent way an extremely important issue as it goes hand-in-
together with all stake holders involved. Unfor- hand with the investments of companies on the
tunately that is not the case leaving our sector island, their equipment, human resources and
and its thousands of employees in great insecu- finances.”
rity about the near future.”
SWOT outcome
Aruba went into lockdown from March 2020 to Strengths space
July 2020. Travel and tourism’s overall econom- • Aruba was well positioned before CO- • Time to adapt Wage subsidy &Fase so more
ic contribution represents more than 88% of the VID-19 and featured high occupancies all staff will be hired
island’s total GDP and the sector supports over year long
nine out of ten jobs. In other words, less than 10% • High repeaters base Opportunities
of the jobs in Aruba are not supported by the • Strong time share base • The Netherlands reform
sector in one way or another. With the financial • Diversity of restaurants on the island • Sailing the Sails execution
support of the Netherlands, companies could • Good to very good medical facilities on the • Eliminating red tape
register for wage subsidy from March 2020 up island • Re-engineer ourselves by means of diversi-
to today, but to guarantee this settlement there • Some of our nature areas got a break fication
are conditions set by the Netherlands with re- • Aruba took measures that favored tourism • Vaccination
gards to reforms. to the island • Flexibilisation of labor laws
• Fast launching of Fase (Emergency Social
Daniele Ferrara is a board member of AFBA Assistance Fund) Threads
and also Managing Director at Gianni’s Group. • Fast and efficient launching of Wage Sub- • Third wave
“Most businesses will not survive without the sidy • Lockdown
wage subsidy provided by the Netherlands. But • Indiscipline of the public of abiding by the
we do not know until when this is secured and Weaknesses rules
up to what percentage? This is a priority issue • Perhaps too many restaurants on the island • More red tape
for us.” The Government of Aruba (GOA) is not • Bureaucracy at every corner in renewing • Staff on permits without AZV
transparent and does not provide clarity on life- permits and establishing businesses • Unfair competition by F&B outlets mush-
changing decisions for Aruba’s business own- • Local young population not as interested in rooming
ers. “Besides the wage subsidy, we are asking jobsF&B sector • Incompliance GOA Landspakket (condi-
for answers with regards to labor law flexibility • Strong need for outside expertise tions set by the Netherlands)
and information about the status of the vacci- • High cost of business
nation.” • High taxes
Recently Van Nes and Ferrara gave a presenta- • Inflexibility in giving precariat for additional Continued on Page 9