“Why is money not calculated on a monthly basis? We are closed for the third time, the second time during the holidays. The timing of the lockdown is really getting in the way,” said the trade association, which is not involved in the protest but the has a “warm heart”.
The majority of hairdressers are self-employed. In previous lockdowns, they could still count on the Tozo scheme (temporary bridging scheme for independent entrepreneurs), but that is not the case now. However, there is an alternative: social assistance for the self-employed (Bbz).
“But it is less open than the tozo. And not completely,” says a spokesperson for the ANKO. “Many entrepreneurs also no longer dare to apply for support because they had to repay money last time. They have not yet recovered from previous lockdowns.”
Coffee and cake
Rik Vermaat from Zierikzee is one of the hairdressers who is protesting. He goes to work with coffee and cake. “I am in mourning: there is a black belt around my arm, the flag is at half mast and mourning music is on on the sidewalk. That is my action.”
The hairdresser has been in the business for 40 years. He believes that the current corona measures stand in the way of safe cutting because it is now happening illegally. He also says that he is missing out on financial support because he has a business at home. “You are then legally excluded from all kinds of regulations. It hurts doubly.”
Financially, the closure is a no-brainer, he says. “The bottom is in sight. Your burdens continue. You can postpone taxes, but you always have to repay debts. It’s about tightening your belt and surviving. And I’m not even talking about young hairdressers: they are just starting.”
Support, but not enough
Yanna Post van der Linde works as a freelancer and rents a chair at a hair salon. She only receives support for her fixed costs. “I received 1500 euros for three months. While: my expenses are around 2500 euros per month. The chair rental continues, as do insurance and accounting.”
The situation gives her sleepless nights.
“Customers I had in my chair are really surprised. They say: you get support, don’t you? They don’t know how little it is. I skipped Christmas and during the previous lockdown I had to ask for money for groceries from friends and family. you can hardly imagine.”
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