Prime Minister Gaston Browne – is currently presenting a budget expected to run up to more than a billion dollars, the United Progressive Party (UPP) is staging a protest outside the Parliament Building.
On Friday, December 15, the UPP, along with other concerned citizens, is uniting for a peaceful protest in opposition to the recently implemented 2 percent increase in the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST).
Residents wishing to take part in the event are asked to gather at 8 a.m. along Queen Elizabeth Highway.
The Party says that protestors should show up with placards that express their dissatisfaction with the tax hike and emphasize its disproportionate impact on the working class.
Reportedly, UPP leaders are addressing the gathering and highlighting the need for transparent economic decisions, and calling for a reevaluation of the Government’s tax policy.
The UPP is hoping that the Gaston Browne Administration will listen to the people and rethink its decision to put more money into its coffers by imposing greater hardships on the working class and the poor.
It notes that alternative measures have been put forward by Ministry of Finance officials, including the reintroduction of the Personal Income Tax (PIT), which is considered a fairer tax and usually targets higher-income earners.
Before its abolition, the Government was collecting about $40 million annually from the PIT.
Now, the Browne Administration is seeking to collect $50 million from the hike on the sales tax.
And as many are anticipating a doom-and-gloom Budget Presentation, some are hoping that – at the very least – there will be concessions for the most vulnerable members of society.
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It’s ok for the UPP to level upon ALL Antiguans a 15% ABST and income tax, yet the ABLP Government is cruel for imposing NO INCOME TAX AND 2% ABST?
Make that make sense.
Dunce rational from the UPP and yet they manage to get illiterate people to support their BS logic.
@ ComingDown
Your ABLP promised ‘more jobs, more investments and LESS TAXES’- you promised less NOT more. You don’t live here so you’re not experiencing the suffering, hunger and hardship that this government has put us through. They have to increase taxes to compensate for all the fraud and corruption that they created for themselves.
@Ras Smood the Impersonator…here goes the bitch again!
You can never be
Vere Cornwall Edwards, and you can’t implicate me in your shit.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Trupz. What a joke.
Their leaders are in Parliament, in air-condition with their suits on, and they outside in the hot sun………
Their leaders should be leading them but what do I know……………
If the shoe was reversed, I wonder if Gaston would have been in Parliament when the people he leads are outside.
@ Beef
That is why We kick your ASS off POINTE FM. Now you are at ZDK and no one listens to you. Beef complains too damn much.
Income tax will make the wealthiest pay a greater percentage, but administration of that system creates its own monster. The current 15% sales tax represents a substantial chunk of all commerce in the two Islands, which if managed properly should suffice. Tourism is the natural industry of Antigua. Everything should be done to attract visitors to spend their money, which has a huge multitude effect. Every dollar spent by a visitor can change hands on Island 5 or 6 times. Each turn over of that dollar will be taxed at 15%. Destroying the ambiance of the two Islands by out of control development will not attract tourists. Leaning towards Socialism and Communism is not good for a Capitalistic society, which is where most of the tourists come from. How many Russian and Chinese tourists visit Antigua?
The government is what needs to change.
This comment by Michael Scott makes a lot of sense. Instead of trying to increase the number of visitors until it’s too much, simply give current visitors more opportunities to spend. Develop more local products, have more local performances etc. etc. etc.
I also believe the longer term visitors are a good investment opportunity. This includes students from other countries studying here and digital nomad workers. Providing services to such persons encourages more spending allowing more revenue to be collected.
Parliament was sweet today with that final motion boy………….
On another note … who saw Pringle sitting by himself when all of them ran over to the “king” serpent with Gizzy on the phone 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Ras Smood…you’re an impersonator, and it’s understandable. Individuals such as you is why crime’s will never cease. Not only are you trying to impersonate Vere C. Edwards, you’re trying to steal something, that you did not build for yourself!
The typical attitude, of a bitch. Unfortunately, the HUEman world is rampant with bitches like you!
Get a fucking life, of your own!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
UPP idiots who we given a whole 15% tax 🤣
UPP idiots who were given a whole 15% tax 🤣
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