Even after this week’s meeting with the Minister of Culture Nauri Puntuli (VL-TB / LNNK), the industry is still offered only existing support programs, for which many companies cannot qualify. Therefore, there is still no real solution to the problem of lack of support.
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Eiland recalled that the previously announced support programs in the Covid-19 crisis were known to entrepreneurs and that those who could qualify for them applied for this support.
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He pointed out that, in the opinion of the Ministry of Culture (MoC), some of the technical support entrepreneurs in the event sector should not be under the supervision of the MoC, but of the Ministry of Economics (MoE). In connection with the requirements of the sector, the Latvian Association of Technical Support Companies in the Event Sector also sent letters to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the MoE, and they are expected to reply.
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The head of the association reminded that the requirement of the technical support companies of the Latvian event industry to allow to qualify for support measures in the Covid-19 crisis also for those entrepreneurs of the industry who do not yet qualify for it has not changed. Furthermore, it is not clear why this is not being addressed.
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At the same time, Eilands positively assessed the meeting with Puntuli and the fact that the representatives of the technical support companies of the Latvian event industry were heard. “The talks are beginning, the discussions will continue and will definitely be more fruitful when we receive a response from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economics,” said Eilands.
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As reported, Puntulis during the meeting on Wednesday pointed out to the representatives of the technical support companies of the Latvian event industry the possibilities to obtain support for overcoming the Covid-19 crisis.
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The Minister expressed confidence that during the meeting all the issues mentioned in the association letter were discussed – both the inclusion of NACE codes corresponding to the sector in various support mechanisms and the regulations of the State Cultural Capital Fund program “Sustainability of Covid-19 Affected Cultural Institutions”. business and non-governmental organizations.
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This week, more than 200 representatives of Latvian technical support companies had come to the Ministry of Culture to protest against the lack of support for employees in the industry. The aim of the campaign was to draw the attention not only of the government, but also of the public that the events were created not only by artists, but also by technical support staff.
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The Latvian Association of Event Technical Support Companies indicated that it would soon be five months since the declaration of an emergency situation in the country on March 12, which was related to the restriction of the spread of Covid-19. Gathering restrictions came into force in the country, which completely stopped all events and cultural events. Although the state of emergency in the country has ended and many industries are returning to normal working life, the situation in the event industry is still described as “extraordinary” – various restrictions on gathering still prevent the sector from working properly, providing businesses and livelihoods. families, noted in the association.
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