The COVID-19 scenario has prompted these organisations to draw up a document with proposals aimed at easing the tough situation the sector is in.
The Red de Empresas de Auxilio en Carretera (REAC) and the Federación Nacional de Empresarios de Asistencia en Carretera (FEGRUAL) have met to draw up a package of proposals with the aim of improving service in the sector and overcoming the extremely serious situation arising from the health crisis. Mobility restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a dramatic fall in demand for services (85 % of demand). In addition, the steady rise in costs in recent years amounts to more than 40 % and has been absorbed by roadside assistance companies, leaving many of them insolvent and on the verge of bankruptcy.
Both organisations believe that the economic crisis can be tackled if human resources are optimised, costs are reduced and certain measures are regularised. This has been conveyed to clients (insurers and motoring clubs), in the conviction that adapting requires a joint effort through which many companies and jobs could be saved.
The measures, which have been sent to the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) for assessment, should be applied during the state of alarm and afterwards. They are therefore divided into these two main groups.
Measures during the state of alarm
These are high-priority measures, since during the state of alarm activity has practically come to a standstill, while the service has nevertheless been maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Added to this is the cost of daily disinfection of equipment, the purchase of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and staff training so that they can do their work safely during the health emergency
Post-state of alarm measures
These are medium-priority measures, designed to be applied in the period after the state of alarm, and include regulatory proposals and collaborative economy proposals.