The Ghana Federation of Labour has described as “outrageous’ and ‘tax-laden’ several government policies and added that they are inimical to industrial growth and are causing massive unemployment in Ghana and threatening national security.
According to the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), consequent upon the virtual unanimous approval of His Excellency, the President’s new nominees for ministerial and judicial appointments despite the prevailing financial crunch and considering the plight of workers under the escalated cost of living as a result of the insensitive economic policies of the government, it deems appropriate to draw the attention of members of Parliament to do the need to halt further deterioration of the conditions of living of people to avert social upheavals.
This was contained in an ‘urgent press release’ titled ‘OUTRAGEOUS TAX LADEN GOVERNMENT POLICIES INIMICAL TO INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND CAUSE OF MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT IN GHANA AND THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY’.
GFL stated that Parliament by constitutional mandate is positioned to check the profligacy of the Executive to ensure good governance for the benefit of the citizenry for development.
It added that contrary to the expectations of the people, Parliament is seen as being complicit in the implementation of outrageous Government policies which threaten to destroy businesses and render joblessness.
The GFL stated that in a petition to the Speaker of Parliament dated 3rd February 2023, it drew attention to the numerous taxes already being paid by the existing distressed businesses and the harm any additional taxes will do to investments.
“Similar concerns have been raised by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Food and Beverage Association of Ghana, and Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, and Parliament petitioned accordingly.
“As the new Excise Tax Bill and other tax proposals await approval by Parliament, we entreat members of Parliament to engage the critical Industry stakeholders before any action on the new Taxes,” GFL stated.
The release was signed by Abraham Koomson, Secretary General, and dated 30th March 2023.
