The measures to contain the coronavirus crisis pose immense challenges for the economic system. Small workshops and freelancers, from architects to restorers, are particularly affected. The concerns of freelancers will be a topic at today’s federal cabinet meeting
VW, Audi and Daimler are shutting down their production, hotels are empty, stores in pedestrian zones have to remain closed: The measures to contain the corona crisis pose immense challenges not only to our health system, but also to the economic system. However, not only the industry giants are particularly affected, but above all small workshops and freelancers from architects to restorers, who are often even organized as one-man businesses. For them, the focus is on completely different problems than for a large corporation: it is not the financing of a large workforce that is causing them problems, but rather meeting running costs such as rent for premises and equipment or simply making a living in the face of falling sales.
As a press release from the Association of Restorers (VDR) points out, all measures from the protective shield for the economy adopted by the German government also apply to freelancers – starting with the hours of tax debts and ending with the easing of conditions for business loans by the KfW.
However, according to the Federal Association of Liberal Professions (BFB), to which the VDR also belongs, these measures only partially alleviate the dramatic situation in the liberal arts sector in particular. “Loans alone are not sufficient for small units (…) because they would have to be repaid,” reads a BFB press release. “With a view to solo self-employed persons and micro-enterprises, remedial action must be taken to mitigate the loss of liquidity.” At least the problem is being listened to: The concerns of freelancers will be a topic at today’s federal cabinet meeting.
The Association of Restorers is also appealing to the solidarity of existing clients: “In addition to the aforementioned package of measures from the federal government, it would be helpful to call on clients not to refrain from placing private orders and to let everything rest,” writes the VDR. “This would have a direct, harsh impact on restorers (as well as photographers, graphic designers, artists, etc.), who are particularly affected in the cultural sector and many of whom were unable to build up reserves.” For many, according to the VDR, even a four-week loss of earnings is tragic. It would therefore be helpful for the state to ensure the survival of even the smallest companies until the end of the coronavirus crisis. “Otherwise, the mass extinction of small and very small restoration studios would create a void in the preservation of cultural assets that cannot be compensated for.”