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Small firms are scrambling to protect themselves as cases of swine flu mount. With experts predicting that up to one in eight workers could be forced to take time off in the next few months, small-business organisations warn that some companies could be forced to close if their workforce is sharply reduced at a time when they can least afford it. Phil McCabe at the Forum of Private Business (FPB) said that it had seen a jump in the number of calls to its advice line in the past couple of weeks. “People are worried,” he said. “Many small firms are already struggling because of the recession and if swine flu decimates their workforce it will be the final nail in the coffin.” Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warned that smaller companies will be harder hit than large ones because they have fewer resources to cover employee absences. “The potential impact of swine flu is very worrying,” he said. “The average small firm has 10 employees, so if half of those are out of action, either through infection or because schools are closed and they have to look after children or because the transport system is not functioning efficiently, that may lead to a fall in production and demand. It will be hugely difficult for them to carry on.”
Last Updated ( Friday, 14 August 2009 08:06 )
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