The Maasveren Foundation, plagued by personnel problems, is spared nothing. The provider of ferry services across the Maas between Brabant and Gelderland has had to swallow a new disappointment at the court in Den Bosch. The foundation wanted to enforce a corona subsidy from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment through the courts. However, she was not charged.
Last May, De Maasveren applied to the ministry for a compensation amount of 76,000 euros for lost income due to the corona crisis. The request was rejected within two days, as it was submitted two months after the closing date.
Putting things in order
The foundation did not want to accept this and went to court in Den Bosch. During the hearing she acknowledged that she was late, but that there was also force majeure. Between the end of 2020 and the beginning of this year, an administrative employee became incapacitated for work, then director-director John van de Akker suddenly died and an accountant left. Subsequently, a temporarily appointed administrator had to put things in order.
De Maasveren hoped for leniency, but that was actually a vain hope. The scheme for ‘income support for entrepreneurs due to the corona crisis’ clearly states that an application submitted too late must be rejected.
‘Run earlier’
Like the foundation, the court finds that there was force majeure, but this situation did not last so long that a timely application could be overlooked. ‘If necessary’ the alarm could have been raised earlier with ‘Social Affairs’. The Maasveren can therefore forget the 76,000 euros.
That is still possible for the foundation, which, apart from the personal tragedies, has already had a tough year. De Maasveren is not exactly in the doldrums and has been missing out on income for months due to a collective labor agreement conflict. In April this year, vandals dragged the cables of the ferry at Lith, causing damage of thousands of euros.
Ferry out of the water
At this time, the foundation is also still struggling with a staff shortage. This is why there is no ferry between Oijen and Alphen in Gelderland until 28 August. For the same reason, the ferry between Megen and Maasbommel in Gelderland will remain on the waterfront next Monday and Friday.
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