With no easy solution in the horizon, bartenders, managers and other staff of liquor vending establishments are anxious about their future.
While the larger chains, five-star hotels and pubs with different branches have promised to relocate their employees, those employed at smaller places say they may not have that safety net.
“There will be so much competition in the sector as everyone who is displaced starts looking for a job. The Government and the bar owners didn't see this problem earlier and now the staff will have to suffer,” said a bartender at a popular resto-bar on M.G. Road.
At some places, the job hunt has already started.
“Employees are scared because these jobs also pay for their families back home. Some have already started searching for new jobs but there is still hope that the situation will resolve in a short time,” said the manager of a lounge bar in Koramangala.
Owners of pubs, while hoping for a miracle to save them from shutting down, are preparing to down shutters for a few weeks at least.
“If there is no solution in sight in 10-12 days, we will have to consider shifting. We will try and take all the staff with us when shifting to another location,” said the manager of a popular chain which will have to close a location in Koramangala.
“This is not the right time to be imposing rules that put families in crisis. Many employees are the sole breadwinners for their families and schools and colleges have just begun. A fresh batch of graduates are looking for jobs and they will also be affected by this,” said Dominic, manager at Coconut Grove on Church Street.
