Hotel staff driven to the edge by Covid Lockdown

Nagpur: “Yes, my wife went to work as a domestic servant today, I have no doubts.
But, this is better than begging.
We have no choice,” Jeetendra Syavest said in anxiety.
A chef at the City Premium Hotel, his salary today ranges from IDR 2,500 to RS4,000 a month.
Before the kuncian, it was RS18,000 and it was enough to make two ends meet, he said.
Jeetendra and other colleagues at the hotel are now waiting for the government to relieve covid limits.
They hope to allow hotels to operate for hours can help them their old wages back.
The source in the hospitality business said the larger hotel was the worst hit.
Their losses are more caused by a higher operating scale.
The Toi staff spoke with moderate wages they were further cut down, now threatening their survival.
Many of the 40s, a little they save for rainy days.
With a pandemic carrying a drastic cutting in their salary, many dip into their provident funds (PF) or Gold Pawn even for small needs.
“After I pulled RS10,000 from the PF account and then took RS5,000.
There is no other choice, I have to pay the rent delayed,” Jeetendra said.
Initially from Bhusawal, Jeetendra had lived in Nagpur for the past 10 years working in the same hotel.
Roshan Salve, Jeetendra’s colleague in the kitchen, said almost no guest today.
Less work has reduced the number of business days too.
Wages are paid for business days.
Roshan has two children and his wife failed.
“I finally pulled RS70,000 last year.
There is an emergency medical.
There is no other savings,” he said.
Atullah Shaikh used to get a little more than RS12,000 at the hotel, now reduced to less than half.
Shaikh has also submitted a withdrawal from a PF account, but this case cannot be processed because the aadhaar number is not updated in the note.
Shaikh has placed his child at a government school from a previous private institution.
“My wife makes soft toys and sometimes works as an ordinary worker.
This helps us manage the show,” he said.
Shaikh Dhananjay Kanfade’s colleague said his family survived on loans guaranteed against gold.
His parents in the village also sent money to meet costs.
A worker in the resto lounge, asked not to be named after, “I used to live in a one-room flat.
Can’t pay rent, we have now shifted to one room as a paying guest.” The 28-year-old child lives with his wife.
Tejinder Singh Renu, President of the Association of Hotel Residential Nagpur, said, “Small hotels can damage – even with 25% occupancy.
Large premium hotels need at least 70%.
Occupancy must come from conference rooms and meals too.
Because of the scale of operation, losses also very large, leading fund crisis.
“