The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce says the Government must move urgently to ensure Christchurch businesses survive.
The chamber's chief executive, Peter Townsend, had a meeting with Prime Minister John Key on Thursday to discuss the plight of businesses following Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake.
Mr Townsend says he is confident the Government will reintroduce the employee support subsidy scheme of $350 per employee per week that was put in place after last September's earthquake.
He says the damage is far worse than in September's quake and without both immediate and long-term support, many will not survive.
But Mr Townsend says the local business community is determined to ensure Christchurch has a robust and positive economic future, as is the Prime Minister.
