The legal community response
regarding the pandemic.
April 3, 2020 / COVID-19 / General press release by Valery Tapia Sánchez
Given the world crisis that Mexico and most countries and territories around the globe are facing due to the pandemic related to the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (also known as Coronavirus) most people agree that the best thing we can do is strictly follow the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the reality is that we live in a country where informal commerce reigns and where the “Stay Home” recommendation is not a possibility for most of the country.
Mexico is also a country with over 4 million companies, out of which 99.8% are considered Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs, which generate 78% of the employment of the country[1]. In Mexico, countless Civil Associations or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) look to boost in a selfless manner vulnerable sectors of society. These associations, which do not always have a profit purpose and live out of donations made by individuals, are also subject to tax payment. Moreover, if they have workers of any kind, they are also subject to the inherent taxes from payroll and services, such as water and electricity.
Furthermore, the answer from our country’s government has not been favorable for these economic sectors. At the moment, the collection for services provided by the government or government companies has not been suspended and there has not been offered tax extensions or special payment forms. This is added to the frequent incapacity to comply with the contractual obligations with private parties for the non-essential activities suspension derived from the Agreement issued on March 31 by the Ministry of Health.[2]
For all this, the legal community, through its Pro Bonus labor, worked together to create a Legal Guide (Guía Jurídica), which addresses the different subjects of interest arising from the health emergency declaration. Different firms, legal areas of companies, and lawyers acting as private parties gathered to write this guide, which answers doubts arising from the current health emergency in employment, insurances, banking and finance, and customer protection matters, among others.
BGBG Abogados, convinced that everyone should contribute to society, has joined this effort made by Mexican legal community and contributed with the knowledge from several of its members to collaborate in insurance and banking and finance matters, as well as in a special Telecommunications area within the consumer protection section.
Download the legal advice Guide for COVID-19 affectations in PDF format.
[1]According to official data and Forbes, for 2018: https://www.forbes.com.mx/pymes-mexicanas-un-panorama-para-2018/
[2]AGREEMENT establishing extraordinary actions to handle the health emergency created due to SARS-CoV2 virus. Available for consultation on: https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5590914&fecha=31/03/2020&print=true