Tradesmen, whose debts belonging to the public have been postponed since last year, but the payment terms of these debts have also come, they cannot pay them because they cannot do business. Tradesmen sentenced to bank loans with interest under the name of support can only postpone their debt and cannot even pay their daily expenses. In the country where 3 out of 4 tradesmen use loans, nearly 1 million tradesmen expect financial support without interest, not credit.
The tradesmen, who were unable to do business with the conomic crisis, were literally bent with the coronavirus epidemic and insufficient support. With the support loans announced by the government, only the tradesmen who received dressing treatment fell into a big impasse. Nearly 1 million tradesmen are struggling to survive on the brink of bankruptcy with loans in the country where 3 out of 4 tradesmen use loans. In Ramadan, tradesmen who make gains in many sectors, especially in food, will spend this Ramadan month due to restrictions.
3 OUT OF EVERY 4 TRADESMEN USED CREDITS
Faik Yılmaz, President of the Istanbul Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, "Our tradesmen and craftsmen, who suffered from the epidemic, rushed to the banks to keep the workplace alive during this period. 3 out of every 4 tradesmen used credit. Nearly 1 million tradesmen used a low-interest loan with the Tradesmen Support Package. But before our tradesmen were able to earn the money to pay the loan, new restrictions came. The tradesman has difficulty in paying the money of his worker and the rent of his shop. Support packages enabled the tradesmen and craftsmen to keep their shops open during this period, but interest-free credit support should be given so that the tradesmen can pay their debts and continue their activities," he said.
TRADESMEN SAY 'WHERE IS THAT OLD RAMADANS'
Yılmaz stated that the tradesmen will not be happy this Ramadan, "Ramadan has always brought abundance and abundance to the looms of tradesmen and craftsmen. Due to the epidemic, we are looking for those days with candles this year. Especially our tradesmen in the food sector made the most turnover in Ramadan. Tradesmen will not spend Ramadan happy due to restrictions. In 2020, 8 thousand 139 workplaces were closed in Istanbul," he said.