No money, no supplies, no workers: Life for Greek small business

http://www.ekathimerini.com/199154/article/ekathimerini/business/no-money-no-supplies-no-workers-life-for-greek-small-business



No money, no supplies, no workers: Life for Greek small business
BUSINESS 08.07.2015 : 10:02

As Greeks hope for the best outcome to the crisis shaking their nation, small businesses are preparing for the worst.

Maria Iliadou, who owns a franchise for the Goody’s Burger House chain in Thessaloniki, said suppliers who used to get paid via electronic banking are asking for cash for July. With capital controls into their second week and banks shut, she said she will have to close by the end of this month if she can’t access her account.

“I, and the other people like me who have a business to run, or have job positions in the private sector, are dubious about the conclusion of an agreement and are anxious about the time being lost every single day,” said Iliadou, 37.

There are few signs of progress. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was given a Sunday deadline by European leaders to work out economic reform proposals that would let Greece stay in the euro. In last weekend’s referendum, 61 percent of the electorate supported his call to say “no” to austerity. Capital controls, bank closures and a daily ATM withdrawal limit of 60 euros ($66) are now scheduled to last until at least Thursday.