The Horeca Federation, which represents 300,000 Belgians employed in the hospitality industry, has asked businesses to switch their lights off for 5 minutes on 28 October to show raise awareness of the sector's situation due to the energy crisis.
'No light Friday' is expected to take place next Friday at 20:30, with the sector hoping to raise "understanding among consumers about our predicament, which is heavily affected by skyrocketing energy prices," stated Luc Marchal, head of the Walloon Horeca Federation.
It follows the initiative 'In the Dark' where a number of Brussels restaurants served meals in the dark in September with both a candlelit dinner and a brunch with cold coffee.
As a result, the federation is calling for a reduction in social security contributions for their business in 2023, a temporary drop in VAT to 6% for the next three quarters, or a quicker liquidation of regional aid.
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Furthermore, they have defended their demands by claiming that the cost of living crisis has disproportionately impacted workers in their workers.
In addition, they want EcoCheques, vouchers provided to employees for the purchase of environmentally friendly items, to be extended so that "our workforce may be supported for an additional €250."
