As announced on the Facebook page of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association (LVRA), the associations uniting the hotels and restaurants of the three Baltic countries made such a decision on August 21. During the convention held in Vilnius. The association came to the conclusion that representatives of the restaurant and accommodation sector in all countries experience very similar challenges, so there is only one way out.
“Criticism of current tax policy is equally unheard of, and achieving our goals may require the extreme measure of organizing a joint strike action across the region,” Facebook posted.
According to the association, 21 of the 27 countries of the European Union permanently apply a reduced value added tax (VAT) to catering services and food. The average of such a tax in Europe is 12.5 percent, while at that time in Lithuania and Latvia 21 percent applies to catering services. VAT, and in Estonia this tax is a higher percentage.
“The expectation of the heads of hotel and restaurant associations in the Baltic countries is to ensure a competitive, small business-friendly business environment and to position the entire region as one in order to attract foreign tourists.
Due to the war waged by Russia in Ukraine, tourism flows in the Baltic countries have not yet recovered. Organizations uniting businesses are afraid of honestly working business representatives, for whom it is increasingly difficult to control costs due to the increased tax burden,” the post published on the social network mentioned the difficulties.
Lrytas.lt after contacting the head of LVRA, Evalda Šiškauskiene, it was specified that the strike is scheduled for October 29, at 11 a.m. at the Parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. True, E. Šiškauskienė hinted that steps will be taken to prevent a strike.
“Let’s not run away from the events, we will still try to negotiate with the new government after the elections,” added the head of the LVRA.
2024-08-30 08:28:33