Removing the income stream of your main target market isn’t a good business decision
The Groninger Studentenbond is calling on companies to hold fire in making redundancies. According to the student organisation, students and young people have had a hard time keeping and finding a job because of the Coronavirus outbreak, and shedding young staff affects the age group significantly more than others.
“When more students lose their jobs, they will really feel that financially. And you cannot spend money that you do not have ”, says Jan Willem Leeuwma, chairman of the Groningen Student Union. As reported by the GIC.
On Thursday it became clear that there has been a record increase in the number of unemployed people in recent months. Unemployment amongst young people between the ages of 15 and 25 is increasing the fastest; partially due to the Dutch government rolling back its Coronavirus economic aid. The Groninger Studentenbond is very concerned about this; “students are the fuel of the Groningen city center. If this group is hit hard, it will only hurt the Groningen economy.”
Many businesses in Groningen recently reopened after being closed for months. The coming period is very important for the continued existence of many hospitality outlets: for the first time in a long time, cafes and shops are again generating reasonable turnover. “If students’ income drops, this will also drop sharply. Especially now that it is so badly needed, “says Leeuwma.
The Groninger Studentenbond therefore appeals to the entrepreneurs in Groningen: “We all need each other to survive and that is why we ask: do not put students on the street, they will spend the money they earn on you again at your neighbors shop and vice versa. ”
Image via Flickr user Mystic_Mabel. License here.
