Who’s going to work today?

[Puffingbilly413]

2 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

Keith, I've got a few quid, not a lot, but a few quid from the sale of our bungalow. People who haven't got that bit of tut would be fucked, and I mean fucked. It's alright for some of us to sit at home, what happens to the rest of 'um?

I'm in the same position as you Spud in that I can eat into savings etc.  I don't qualify for any of the grants on offer or for Universal Credit etc.  The wife is a teacher so for all the shit that she usually faces on a day to day basis at least her wage is secure.

 

If I really had fuck all to fall back then I would hope that the state wouldn't let us starve.  But I've always made sure I've kept enough put by to tide us over for a bit regardless.

 

My guess would be that for those still working that aren't key workers, that option will be legally taken off them in the coming weeks.

 

What a bloody mess.

[eggsarascal]

1 minute ago, trigger_andy said:

I seriously dont understand how anyone who is self employed, and as such running a business does not have a money held back for emergencies? We're only 2 weeks into this yet it seems like folk are already on their knees. Whats their plan if they break a leg? Or anything that puts them outta work for 6-12 weeks? 

I can't speak for anyone else, I earned good money Up to Christmas, which isn't unusual, after Christmas, January, Feburay were shit. Then Covid happened, we don't all earn a fortune week in week out, or should I say, I don't.

[topchippyles]

With all this uncertainty has anyone actually managed to get any universal credit or sick pay ?? Just wondering with all these postings and guys not able to work.

[topchippyles]

2 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

I can't speak for anyone else, I earned good money Up to Christmas, which isn't unusual, after Christmas, January, Feburay were shit. Then Covid happened, we don't all earn a fortune week in week out, or should I say, I don't.

Try self employment for those who never have then you will understand for yourself the ups and downs ? Eye opener guys or what ??

[Puffingbilly413]

22 minutes ago, Ty Korrigan said:

Working as a team of two, 4 days this week.

I have a bottle of vanilla scented alcohol and tissues ready to wipe any surfaces such as the krab, pulley I send to the climber and my gloves (List is not exhaustive) 

The chipper and truck are my domain.

The climber has his own transport.

He climbs on srt so it takes a minute or less to ascend a tree so coming down to fill his own saw isn't an issue.

I sent up the Longboy after drenching it in alcohol.

The rope is a vector, not just for Covid-19 but typhoid, cholera, norovirus and toxoplasmosis but it's handled with gloves which are regularly drenched in alcohol.

Climber normally looks like a homeless guy in a harness but when I pointed out this virus has boosted his personal appearance and hygiene somewhat, he replied that he was back with his girlfriend.

Today he pushed the chipper twice, I wiped down those surfaces.

If this continues, I might even be tempted to polish the thing.

This morning, an elderly 'bourgeoisie' couple stopped on the footpath and had a go at the climber for working.

His reply was along the lines of "You have a fat retirement, I only have todays wage"

He's not lying, I'm his only employeur in this current situation and his van is trapped in a garage awaiting a new injector system.

Thursday and Friday for another local commune (council)

Police permission granted to work on the roadside.

I'm hoping to unscrew some new road signs and do a couple of cheeky fells.

Week after I'm hoping to get on with prioritising the jobs that might get cancelled or trimmed down if delayed longer. 

 I'm keen not to lose a centime now because I see a future of austerity ahead.

   Stuart

 

 

 

 

Stuart - out of interest how does the French government's financial package work for you over there (or not..)?

[eggsarascal]

2 minutes ago, topchippyles said:

Try self employment for those who never have then you will understand for yourself the ups and downs ? Eye opener guys or what ??

I am self employed.

[topchippyles]

6 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

I am self employed.

Was not referring to you eggs but certain people comment on self employment who have never been there ?? Not a subject i would get involved in if i was in that position. 

[scraggs]

1 hour ago, eggsarascal said:

Keith, I've got a few quid, not a lot, but a few quid from the sale of our bungalow. People who haven't got that bit of tut would be fucked, and I mean fucked. It's alright for some of us to sit at home, what happens to the rest of 'um?

This is going to be shit for a lot of people mate, I am under no illusion on that.
The government has offered to do what it can, but that could take ages to sort out, I really feel for people in that situation.
But as others have said, there are a lot of trades around this area that have been earning £200-£250 a day, what have they done with all that money ?
But what is the options, shall we all just say fuck it ?

Edited March 31, 2020 by scraggs

[openspaceman]

3 hours ago, Mark Bolam said:

All totally true Will, and absolutely no more dangerous than shopping, home delivered or not.

Difference is one is lawful the other is not, not that it will make any difference.

[Ty Korrigan]

2 minutes ago, Puffingbilly413 said:

Stuart - out of interest how does the French government's financial package work for you over there (or not..)?

Ah... a sum of 1500 euros has been banded around for those commerçants and artisans who can show their turnover is down by 70% for the month of March.

For those who habitually declare they live on air and have a low turnover, they will be regretting that very soon as they will receive very little if anything at all.

The process of claiming is already proving to be very slow, still April and even May to consider yet and I doubt many will receive a payment before June.

Something rather strange, hotels, gites, chambre d'hotes who have already received payment up front will be allowed to keep monies for 18 months before refunding.

I count myself lucky that I vacillated over a 2 week gite holiday costing over 2k and did not make payment before the plague struck.

There is a strong chance that people won't get money back.

Business owners die or go out of business or clients may die or just give up on reclaiming or just decide that they no longer want to holiday in France or that they can no longer afford to take that holiday given the situation, austerity, unemployment etc plans change.

Several 'gite' owners have stated on a Facebook page for expats that they have no intention of re-paying monies and have already spent it anyway.

I caused a heated debate when I accused them of not having a viable business if they need to spend clients deposits just to live.

If a builder had taken a 50% deposit in advance then refused to refund the money because he couldn't start the work for 18 months due to a bad back people would be up in arms.

Yet this no refund policy is actually sanctioned by the French government.

   Stuart