HOK: Continue with the measure of limited energy prices and consider measures for gas

From The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) has stated that it is essential to continue with the measure of limited energy prices and to consider additional measures for gas, warning that they have received numerous complaints from their members regarding the multiple increases in gas bills.

HOK, as stated in a press release, supports the way the Government is responding to the challenges of crises affecting trades and the economy in recent years, noting that they continue to face a number of factors negatively impacting economic stability, which is why the concern among tradespeople for the continuation of business is growing, especially after the expiration of measures to mitigate the energy crisis.

In the past month, they have received numerous complaints from members who received multiple increases in gas bills for November and December of last year at the beginning of 2023.

They say that tradespeople from the area of Slavonski Brod have been most affected, who, during the spring of 2022, due to the cessation of the previous supplier’s operations, fell under the guaranteed supply of HEP Plin, whose price is regulated by HERA, and whose bills in January increased by almost 600 percent compared to previous periods.

– Such a large increase in input costs cannot be borne by tradespeople, and they are announcing the closure of businesses and layoffs – stated HOK.

They believe that the Government has done much so far, especially through the measure of limited electricity prices for small businesses, but they consider it necessary to continue with this measure even after March 31, 2023.

They also propose that additional measures for gas be considered, following the same model as for electricity, since subsidies for reducing gas costs for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises have proven insufficient to alleviate the cost impact on business.

HOK emphasizes that they are also seeking a solution to the situation through benefits that they contractually secure with partners from various economic sectors and negotiations with distributors and energy suppliers. However, due to the prolonged continuation of the crisis situation in the energy sector, the possibilities for such alleviation of negative impacts on business are diminishing, the Chamber states.

– In order to preserve positive trends in trades, including maintaining the level of employment of workers in trade activities, we consider it necessary to expand assistance measures as an essential guarantee of business stability and survival for the vast majority of tradespeople – stated HOK.

Furthermore, the Government has announced a new package of assistance for citizens and the economy for April 1, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said yesterday that the entire economic team of the Government is working on this package, carefully trying to find measures that will be calibrated, appropriate to the moment, with a focus on energy sources. They are intended for those who need a ‘helping hand’ in these crisis circumstances and to assist them, as they have been helped so far, the Prime Minister stated.