Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Gowin on support for entrepreneurs

On November 20, 2020, we took part in a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development, Labor and Technology, Jarosław Gowin, organized by the Ombudsman for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises as part of the 19th Meeting of the Council of Entrepreneurs. As a member of the Council of Entrepreneurs at the SME Ombudsman, before the meeting we collected from our members and forwarded to the organizer a number of postulates to Deputy Prime Minister Gowin, the aim of which is for the government to implement new forms of support for entrepreneurs from the inbound tourism, hotel, meetings, catering and cultural institutions sectors. The postulates include:

Cancellation of PFR subsidies in 100% for entrepreneurs who have already obtained them
Launching additional PFR subsidies, which will be a continuation of those previously introduced
Introduction of compensation for entrepreneurs for the period of limitation of business activity
Permanent suspension of ZUS contributions (until the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurs' activities ceases)
Suspension of loan and leasing installments for companies affected by restrictions
Introduction of additional loans on realistic terms for entrepreneurs
Elimination of additional costs related to modifications to leasing and credit agreements
Exemption of entrepreneurs from rent costs related to the lease of space necessary for running a business (and the possibility of extending lease agreements)
Introduction of a program to subsidize labor costs in companies affected by the pandemic
Implementation of the turnover decline criterion in all government aid programmes and thus removal of the current PKD criterion (as a method of identifying companies affected by the pandemic)
The government has obtained funding from the European Union budget to counteract economic decline in sectors particularly affected by the effects of the pandemic
Launching funds for the development of online meeting solutions (support for the development of innovative technologies)
Including non-public universities in the group of entrepreneurs covered by all protective solutions (Anti-Crisis Shield, PFR, etc.)
Lifting of restrictions on the operation of hotel restaurants (they have the possibility of stricter sanitary control than non-hotel restaurants)

We will also forward these demands directly to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Gowin announced that in the coming days, Prime Minister Morawiecki will announce the next stages of defrosting the economy and that further support for tourism, hotels and restaurants is planned. Further expansion of PKD codes was also announced, which define entrepreneurs eligible for specific government support.

During the meeting, the issue of the so-called Ten of the SME Advocate was also raised, i.e. 10 systemic changes proposed to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (and the Chairmen of the Parliamentary Clubs and Circles), which are to significantly contribute to improving the legal and economic environment in our country. We are one of the organizations that, as part of our membership in the Entrepreneurs' Council, signed these 10 postulates:

ZUS reform for entrepreneurs.
The minimum wage is half of the average wage in each district.
A ban on the legislator imposing new bureaucratic obligations on micro-entrepreneurs and a reduction of existing ones.
Changes to commercial law imposing obligations on entrepreneurs at least six months in advance.
Lump sum settlement on income without limits, with rates adjusted to the possibilities in individual industries.
It is not possible to suspend the tax liability deadline.
Appeal council with the participation of representatives of professional self-government bodies and offices.
Real disciplinary and financial liability of officials.
Reducing the practice of abusing temporary arrests for entrepreneurs.
Reducing the duration of commercial proceedings.