Devastating fallout from the pandemic

THE REPERCUSSIONS of the Covid-19 pandemic on top of Brexit are particularly being felt by those reliant on the hospitality and tourism industries.

With international travel from the UK currently banned for tourists, Benidorm – which heavily relies on British holidaymakers – is on its knees.

Despite a relaxation which came into effect this week, allowing bars, cafes and restaurants to remain open until 22.00, it is still not enough for the vast majority of owners in the town to make it viable to reopen just yet.

With no tourists and many locals struggling themselves, as much as they would like to support the few British-owned bars which have opened, they simply cannot afford to do so.

With such high social security contributions required for each employee, it is no secret that many were either paid in cash or on minimum contracts, say 8-10 hours per week, when in fact they were working full time.

Yes an ‘illegal practice’ but for many the only way that they could find work.

At the end of the week, they would be paid for the hours they had worked so for them they had no qualms.

Obviously the employer also made a saving and when things were going well, both were happy with the conditions of employment.

Perhaps happy is too strong a word, as one bar workers explained.

“If we didn’t agree then there would be no shortage of others that would quickly fill your slot, so we were resigned to the situation,” they noted.

However, last March all that changed in an instant when Spain went into lockdown. Government aid was based on declared contributions, which is where many came unstuck and fell through the gaps.

Some, in particular with a limited knowledge of the language and rules, signed contracts given to them by employers, unaware of what they were signing and the implications.

Once venues reopen, it is likely many of those stung will be more cautious and less trusting.

Currently the Rincón de Loix area, favoured by the Brits is extremely quiet, with the majority of bars closed. Time will tell if the doors remain closed permanently but there is sadly some evidence that they will, with ‘Se Alquila’ or ‘Se Vende’ boards outside many of the smaller independent venues.

With no work available here, some made the difficult decision to head back to the UK to find work on a temporary basis – there certainly was and still is a huge demand for delivery drivers with some of the major supermarkets.

Many sadly left behind partners, with a plan to return once the resort opens up again, not really envisaging that they would still be there some nine months on.

Suddenly

foodbanks, previously associated with poverty and deprivation were being relied upon by ‘normal people’.

One, set up by Benidorm’s British Businesses Association was feeding over 100 families – not individuals.

Now they are down to around a quarter of that, but it still makes sobering reading that in the 21st century there is a need.

Only this week, one Benidorm family were featured in a British tabloid under the headline 'Expat Hell – We were living a dream in Benidorm…now we have €20 left and use foodbanks'.

Left jobless and penniless they are now trying to raise enough money via social media to get back to the UK. Some local people such as Marcus Saunby are sympathetic, saying: “Very sad indeed, but I know lots of people that have had to return back to UK in order to find work, so very sad.” Others however had little compassion.

Ian Brown said: “You were living the dream. But like a lot of expats you didn’t set aside a contingency fund… it’s been a harsh lesson for a lot of people.”

Sue Foyle commented: “So, been living over there all these years, not paid any British taxes but expect to come back and be welcomed with open arms? Given the home, benefits and food?” Despite being advised to make themselves legal before the end of last year, some now face no future here, failing to meet the criteria required for residency. One couple, who for obvious reasons wish to remain anonymous, had been happily living on one of the many Benidorm campsites ‘off radar’ for more than a decade, driving about in a UK registered car with a ‘the Spanish can’t afford to throw us Brits out’ attitude.

Now they are in turmoil over what to do, with no private healthcare and fear of being stopped by traffic police whilst driving on a UK licence. They are certainly not the first and no doubt will not be the last.