BUSINESSES’ LOANS AND OBLIGATIONS SHOULD BE POSTPONED TO 2022

ETO President Metin Güler, in a meeting with representatives of the service sector to assess the challenges caused by the pandemic, emphasized that all loan payments—without exception for private or public banks—should be deferred, and obligations such as withholding tax, stoppage, and other taxes and social security payments should be postponed until the end of 2022.

Members of the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce (ETO), including representatives from the restaurant, café, canteen, wedding hall, and event services sectors, came together to evaluate the business losses and challenges they have faced due to the pandemic. In the meeting, which included the participation of ETO President Metin Güler, discussions focused on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, the loss of revenue due to closures, and the restrictions imposed on business operations.

Some businesses have been closed for 11 months

Speaking at the meeting, Güler highlighted the significant losses experienced by businesses in Eskişehir’s restaurant, café, wedding hall, event management, and hospitality sectors due to the pandemic. He reminded attendees that closure or restriction measures have been in place intermittently for 11 months, and firms affected by these measures require more substantial support.

Traders cannot even pay last year’s loans

Güler pointed out that restaurants and cafés, which are burdened with high rent and operating costs, are struggling to survive with only takeout services, while businesses that are completely closed still face obligations such as social security, withholding tax, and other liabilities. He stressed that members are having difficulty paying loans they took out last year. Güler called for the postponement of all loan payments—without exceptions for private or public banks—and the deferral of obligations such as withholding tax, stoppage, and social security until the end of 2022.