Damage estimated at $85.53 million dollars was incurred by Nuku'alofa businesses who were not insured against riots, while some 678 jobs had been lost, Tonga's Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries stated today.

Reporting the results of an Assessment Survey of 144 businesses whose business premises were damaged during the November 16 riot, the minister, Hon. LIsiate 'Akolo, said that while the total estimated costs of damage to businesses amounted Tongan $117,325,248 but only a few had insurance cover for riots.

The report stated that 96 businesses or 75% were either not insured against riots, or not insured at all. Only eight businesses or 6% had riot cover, while the rest were uncertain of their insurance status.

Of the 144 businesses damaged, 33 enterprises were owned by Chinese or naturalized Tongans of Chinese origin.

The minister pointed out that the millions of pa'anga property losses and 678 job losses would impact heavily on Tonga's future.

He said that 15 businesses had not provided information for the survey, and the survey did not include, "the cost of losses to other businesses whose premises were not damaged but are affected by the incident, and the value of imported inventory that are yet to be cleared by damaged businesses from the wharf."

The break down of some of the estimated total costs was:

Total cost of damage to stock on shelf T$22,999,393

Total cost of damage to buildings T$38,164,011

Total cost of damage to Inventories T$26,500,860

Total estimated trading losses T$17,570,300

Total other costs T$6,072,050

Retail businesses were the hardest hit on November 16, but most sectors were affected:

...•Retail businesses -31% (54 businesses)

...•Entertainment & Food Vendors -10% (17 businesses)

...•Supermarket/Wholesale enterprises - 9% (16 businesses)

...•Rental businesses (incl. real estates) -8% (14 businesses)

...•Semi-Professional Services (e.g: hair salons, security services) - 8% (14 businesses)

...•Professional Services (e.g: consultancy and accountancy services) - 7% (11 businesses)

...•Tourism operators (incl. travel/tour agencies) - 5% (8 businesses)

...•Financial services (incl. commercial banks) - 5% (8 businesses)

...•Information/Communication Services (incl. newspapers, and publishers) - 4% (6 businesses)

Engineering and Electronic Repair Services - 3% (5 businesses)

...•NGOs- 3% (5 businesses)

...•Manufacturing Enterprises - 2% (4 businesses)

...•Construction Services - 2% (3 businesses)

...•Transportation Services (incl. shipping agencies, airlines) - 2% (3 businesses)

...•Power Generation - 1% (1 business)

The reported noted that several businesses operated different branches in different sectors, and this would explain any discrepancies relative to the total number of businesses surveyed.

The survey was made during consultative meetings with affected businesses between November 20-23. It also identified the significant immediate needs for the recovery of businesses. This included the need for assistance with insurance assessment, a reconstruction plan, wharf protection and security, ensuring a flow of food items and necessary stocks, assistance with clearance of containers currently at the wharf owned by companies made insolvent in the riot, safety and security of businesses, access to businesses within the proclaimed area, financial assistance and tax relief, and other things.

The Minister also said other needs were identified. "There is a need for government to consider the consequential distortions to the upcoming population census, and there is a need for government to consider hardship relief for employees who have lost their jobs due to the riot and the general public who will also be ultimately affected.

"These consequential job losses are predicted to significantly affect the future national employment rate, unemployment rate and the national labour force participation rate," Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo said.