It’s a grim situation. The organized small business sectors (more than 4000 small businesses to be specific) have become easy prey for extortion groups. Federation of Small Businesses reports. An urgent action is sought for Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster. Members expressed their grief
FSB’s policy chairman assured that a grass root level action will be taken place.
Small and Medium scale business sector some feel in any way not getting enough support and encouragement from government in any way and government has never actively tried to find a solution in the past as well.
If a recent FSB service is any indication (government data is more or less turns out to be a bit conservative, they never disclose the facts) at least 6% of small business are been hit by the extortion threat.
SMEs made a vital social and economic contribution to Northern Ireland and the FSB recommended:
:: The Organised Crime Task Force make tackling racketeering and extortion against the business community a core priority.
:: Research into the cost and impact of racketeering and extortion on small business and the wider economy should be commissioned.
:: Politicians who were responsible for making decisions in the area must demonstrate a willingness to take a lead in dealing with the issue.
Via [iol]
