The Moderate Party's proposal for a state fund of SEK 6 billion to rescue travel companies and compensate consumers did not receive support in the Riksdag's Committee on Civil Affairs on Thursday.
According to the Sweden Democrats, the government is working on the issue. At the same time, alarms are being raised that nine out of ten companies are heading for bankruptcy.
UD's advice against travelling worldwide has given Swedish consumers the right to get their money back for booked trips. However, this is a right that risks being worthless if the companies go bankrupt.
According to information from the industry organisation SRF to SVT, this is precisely what is now happening: nine out of ten travel agencies are heading towards bankruptcy and approximately 600 customers have contacted the National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN).
Only the KD and SD supported the proposal, which was put forward by the Moderates in the committee. The party's group leader in the committee, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, is disappointed.
”We see that we have an industry that employs 7,000 people in Sweden that risks not being around in the future,” he says.
”We can note that several of our neighbouring countries are introducing different types of fund solutions for the industry to survive the crisis and emerge stronger on the other side,” he continues.
The Chair of the Committee on Civil Affairs, Emma Hult (Green Party), explains the party's and the committee's no by stating that the issue should be handled by the government.
”We also see that a solution is needed on this issue and hope it will come in the near future. It is a very important and urgent issue, but we do not drive policy through committee initiatives.”
So you've been told that this matter is being processed by the government?
”I don’t know if it has been prepared, but the information I have is that we are working to resolve the issue.”
She has no views on the model proposed by the Moderates and the industry, but believes it is a matter for the civil servants.
”But we have to resolve the situation. We know they are in a very acute situation,” says Emma Hult about the travel companies.
You are seeking Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan, Minister for Finance Magdalena Andersson, and Minister for Consumer Affairs Lena Micko on the matter, without success. A text message arrives from Ibrahim Baylan's press secretary, Sara Khatemi.
”Many proposals are coming into the government on ways to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We welcome the proposals and do not rule out further measures,” she writes.
Source: di.se
