Andorra Rejects ERTOs and Rent Controls for Pas de la Casa Amid RN20 Closure

Andorran Head of Government Xavier Espot has rejected employment regulation procedures (ERTOs) and rent controls for Pas de la Casa businesses hit by the RN20 closure, pointing to insufficient agreement among economic and social partners and risks to employers, workers, and bodies like the CASS.

At an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting in the border parish on Wednesday, Espot called ERTOs unhelpful, as they would force owners to cover partial salaries without income, reduce staff pay, and overload administration. He insisted rent deals remain private matters between tenants and owners, noting some eateries had already arranged voluntary cuts. Ministers approved a second aid package that day, building on earlier steps like CASS contribution easements, IGI payment delays, expanded gift vouchers, and support for importers.

Key measures include electricity bill rebates, mainly covered by FEDA with Sercensa managing distribution in Pas de la Casa: firms with 25-50% year-on-year revenue falls receive 25% discounts, while those exceeding 50% get 50% off through the full closure. Transport aid offers €200 per verified round trip via the Cerdanya-Pimorent route for Andorran hauliers collecting French goods—designed to prevent consumer price rises—and tour operators showing Pas de la Casa bookings, ski passes, or contracts. Micro-enterprises, to be defined by decree with up to five workers, turnover caps, and no other sites, can access 24-month soft loans immediately, with the state covering interest and backed by personal guarantees.

Government spokesperson Guillem Casal outlined €30 weekly fuel vouchers for Occitanie-registered cars, starting Saturday after a minimum €30 refuel and yellow vignette verification at the Pas tourist office. A Friday BOPA decree confirmed the rollout, with Andorra Turisme handling reimbursements to stations via weekly invoices at any Andorran site to encourage local spending. New details specify vouchers only for Occitanie vehicles—€30 for cars, €200 for buses over 30 seats—requiring full-tank fills over the aid amount, on-site discount application, and proof via registration documents.

Transport firms report 70% drops in French goods sales, plus higher costs and spoilage from detours. Andbus CEO Daniel Vinseiro cited 25% cancellations for big European groups—often rerouted through Barcelona—and 50% from Toulouse, with trips now exceeding four hours.

Encamp council approved a €2 million package that afternoon—roughly 5% of its budget—for Pas retail, hospitality, lodging, leisure, and auto services. It allocates up to €1.56 million in grants capped at €10,000 per recipient or 25% of pre-tax losses, payable monthly or at closure end from next Wednesday. A €320,000 pot funds scaled tax and fee waivers—50% for 25-50% drops, 100% above—with hygiene charges deferred to October; applications begin 1 September. Encamp also sets aside €120,000 for 12 daily free L'Hospitalet-Pas shuttles, waiving the €10 fare for cross-border workers and rail users.

Council head Laura Mas called the aid audited, job-focused, and closure-preventing. The session thanked Episcopal Co-Prince delegate Josep Lluís Serrano Pentinat for inspections. Opposition Avancem supported it, calling for Andorra Turisme campaigns and FEDA power aid via Sercensa. Traders raised concerns for non-ski micro-firms losing 70-90% of day trippers.

After visiting outlets and Encamp leaders, Espot highlighted fast loans for liquidity-hit micro-businesses. Associations praised transport and energy help but said it lacks enough without ERTOs or rent aid, especially for excursion-reliant spots. Associació de Veïns i Comerciants president Òscar Ramon sought targeted ERTOs; Associació d’Empreses d’Allotjament Turístic head Àlex Ruiz called for spring monitoring.

French works proceed on a three-month timeline without foreseen delays, despite prior April issues. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor met French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot in Paris Thursday—the top-level talks since 2014—while Economy Minister Raúl Ferré and Mas plan a site visit within 15 days. Casal confirmed steady progress. Espot vowed vigilance for at-risk sectors.