Restaurant managers have launched a movement to try and get the 23% VAT rate on dining out deemed unconstitutional.
The initiative was presented by the National Restaurant Entrepreneur Movement (Movimento Nacional de Empresários de Restauração, or MNER) in Lisbon yesterday. MNER also claims entrepreneurs are discriminated against because they are not entitled to unemployment benefits, despite the fact that they pay Social Security.
José Pereira, the movement’s coordinator, told Lusa news agency that restaurant executives feel “betrayed” by the current government, as well as its predecessors, who continuously promised to reinstate the 13% VAT rate while encouraging them to invest.
This is why they have plumped on ‘unconstitutionality’ as the tool to combat government policies.
“It is a harsh method to protect the sector which provides most employment across the country,” Pereira said.
The movement is also aimed at protecting restaurant bosses’ interests.
“We pay Social Security like any other taxpayer but we are not entitled to unemployment benefits. We do not have any means to survive, and that is unconstitutional!”
Pereira actually described the situation as “a scandal”.
“The government’s behaviour towards us is different. We pay them, but when they have to contribute, they don’t”.
Hoping for success, Pereira guaranteed there is also a ‘plan B’ in the making.
