Budget fails workers -union leaders
Stabroek News
April 6, 2004
Budget 2004 is coming in for sharp criticism from trade union leaders who say it is empty on incentives for workers and offers nothing to ease their burden.
"The budget offers absolutely nothing for the hard-pressed workers in this country," remarked President of the General Workers Union, Norris Witter.
According to Witter, the document is seen as depressing and hopeless since it does not offer them much relief.
Witter, who focused on the absence of any movement in the income tax threshold, noted the government's failure to yield to this demand despite several appeals from several groups.
"We have noted that despite the government's recognition of there being an increase in the inflation rate last year, no consideration has been given despite the World Bank's recommendation for a graduated increase in the income tax threshold," Witter said.
President of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Kenneth Joseph was equally dissatisfied saying the budget was devoid of several initiatives they had been campaigning for.
According to Joseph, the continued existence of the current tax regime is a disincentive to workers, who see themselves bearing the tax burden while others pay nothing.
And Witter said the increases in NIS contributions would further erode the already pauperised wages and salaries.
In the budget presentation it was said that further job losses in the bauxite area are likely. "These are very frightening developments for working people and signals very clearly to us a bleak future, lined with grave uncertainty, insecurity and anxiety for an already demoralised workforce," Witter said.
Joseph said the hope was that the politicians could, during the budget debate, make some inroads on behalf of workers.