Although it was rumored that more than 100 caterers in Zagreb would open their facilities on February 1, or at least start issuing coffee and drinks outside despite the work ban, the protest will not go ahead, as many pulled out after considering the consequences, said the president of the Zagreb Caterers’ Association, Franz Letica, by telephone for Hina after their meeting.
After announcing that he would open the doors of the Zlatni Klas in Otrovandc on Monday, Bernard Tkalčec decided not to go ahead, after all, epodravina reports.
“I am will not open until February 15th. We have positive announcements from the Prime Minister that he will change his lockdown decision if the situation is good. My recent speech was not focused on rebellion and anarchy, but on seeking the right to work and live if we cannot be helped,” said Tkalčec.
“I am waiting for the measures to be relaxed so that we can work fairly. The caterers were revolted by numerous illogicalities and discrimination in the measures of the Headquarters. Twenty-five people stand in front of the kiosks drinking coffee; the pools are full, people are on top of each other on Sljeme, and young people travel to BiH for fun. We are all human; we all want life. I do not condemn anyone, but we also have our rights; we are the only ones who have minimum technical conditions, and we do not work,” he complained.
Tkalčec employed 16 people in Otrovanec, but he had to let go six of them when the first measures were announced.
“I can’t afford to have 10 people come to my lunch, as it was before, and pay so many people. Now I kept 11 of them, but I promised the others that I would return them to work if we would work normally,” he said.
Tkalčec said he received many calls and messages, mostly of support, after his opening announcement last week.
“This is not an initiative that calls for rebellion and riots, but the requested realization of our right to work and to understand that we are alive. On Wednesday, I am going to a peaceful protest in the center of Zagreb; we are looking for a way to survive,” he concluded.
To read more about COVID-19 in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.