The Association of Entrepreneurs (Udruženje poslodavaca) welcomed on Monday the announcement by Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar that the government would delay the implementation of new rules on anchored prices. However, the association is not withdrawing from the 'Enough is enough' protest, scheduled for 10 October.
Minister Šušnjar posted on social media that he would propose a delay in the implementation, withdrawing the decisions that were set to take effect on 1 October, covering the obligation to display anchored prices for all products and services. "Over the past few days I have been listening to the reactions of craftsmen, entrepreneurs, traders and all those who are to apply the new rules on anchored prices from 1 October," said Šušnjar. He added that he had been an entrepreneur for 20 years and that he knew what it was like when an additional administrative burden was added to daily work, with system adjustments and costs.
The association assesses that it is good that the minister listened to craftsmen and entrepreneurs who warned of additional costs, administrative burdens and the short time for adaptation. However, the association states that the fact that the measure is delayed by only three days before the start of implementation shows how decisions affecting business are made without sufficient discussion with those who have to implement them. "It is good that the minister has listened to business. But business people must not be the last quality control for government decisions. We want clear information for consumers, but also rules that a small business can implement without a new administrative burden," said UGP President Bruno Samardžić.
The association accepts the minister's invitation to discuss and expects concrete proposals for new rules, reasonable exemptions and sufficient time for adaptation. The association warns that the delay is only valid if the obligation is not reinstated in November. According to the minister's words, in November the draft rules on the base price and price list publication are to take effect, defining reasonable exemptions and removing administrative burdens that do not provide real benefit to the consumer.
The minister has announced a meeting with all business associations and entrepreneurs. "I will invite all business and business associations to a meeting to go through the details together and agree on the best solution," said Šušnjar, adding that listening to criticism is not a weakness, but that it is much worse to push through a solution that is seen to need correction.
The protest 'Enough is enough' will take place as announced, on 10 October at 12:00 in Zagreb. It is jointly organised by the UGP and the association HMOi – Save small family landlords. The organizers oppose the government's decision that all traders and service providers must publish and update their price lists digitally from 1 October, as well as the increase in levies for landlords.
The UGP states that anchored prices are just one example of a wider problem: rules are often changed without sufficient analysis, discussion and understanding of the cost they impose on people who work. The minister, however, has stated that withdrawing from implementation does not mean abandoning the goal, and that as economy minister and a man from the real sector, he understands business people, but has a duty to protect consumers and regulate the market. "Citizens have the right to simply see how the price of a product has changed and have access to information on which they can base their decision on where to spend their money," the minister said.
