The collectives are calling on the Prime Minister and the federal government for fair treatment and homogeneous economic aid between the different regions of the country.
EAt the start of the morning, dozens of vehicles converged from the provinces of Liège, Namur, Walloon Brabant and Luxembourg to the capital. They were joined by professionals from Hainaut. “In all 200 to 300 vehicles traveled at 30, 50 or 70 km / h on two traffic lanes as far as Heysel, while respecting police directives”, indicate the organizers.
The aim of the action was to once again draw the attention of the authorities to the “great distress” situation in the hotel and catering, events, fairgrounds, caterers, food trucks or the world of. the night.
“For a year now, our sectors have complied with duty and a sense of responsibility to the many directives imposed by our governments and experts. We apply the rules without batting an eyelid and agree to the investments and protocols requested to guarantee the safety of the population and our customers. Each of us, at a standstill, bears the brunt of the economic and psychological weight of decisions aimed at improving the health situation ”, deplore the groups.
A year later, it is clear that the situation is “extremely tense or even catastrophic for many of us”, they criticize.
The collectives are therefore launching an appeal to the Prime Minister “so that he becomes aware of the disparity in aid and that he realizes the sacrifices made to save 11 million Belgians”.
“We are asking for compensation up to 15% of turnover, ie the equivalent of what is granted in Flanders, because today Brussels and Wallonia are lagging behind”. Regional governments and the federal government must tune in so as not to let us die “, asserts Carl De Moncharline”, coordinator of the various collectives. “If your three children were on the verge of drowning, you wouldn’t save just one,” he explains.
The coordinator also insists on the need to pick up the pace: “We were told with fanfare, at the beginning of February, the arrival of financial aid to support sectors in difficulty. However, it is March 15 and we still have not received anything. Political disdain must end; we have to act and quickly, ”he says.
The procession broke up around 11 am on the Heysel plateau.