By Harlyne Joku
The Union asserts that Mr Stuckey is drowning PNG in debt and allowing unsound tax measures in the nation’s budget which will adversely impact workers and their families.
PNGTUC is totally against the Dominant Industry Players Levy and the no Jab, no Job policy according to Assistant General Secretary Anton Sekum.
Comprised of 17 union affiliates and thousands of PNG workers as members, the PNGTUC is concerned that the new tax measures especially on banking and telecommunications passed by parliament in the Budget on Tuesday is an attack on Workers Savings and Welfare.
‘” We state that the new tax measures introduced by Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey is wicked and destructive to workers aspirations for a better quality of life,” Mr Sekum told the Sunday Bulletin yesterday.
“The Treasurer is waging an attack on the savings of workers as majority shareholders on BSP. It is akin to wage theft and the only reason it is not criminal is because it is protected by law.
“These are funds workers look forward to receiving as dividends. Workers own majority shareholdings in BSP. Low wages in PNG means savings capacity of workers is practically zero. Workers therefore look at their contributions to Superfunds, Savings & Loans and investments such as BSP for relief in hard times and retirement. Regrettably Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey has consigned the promise of a better future for workers and their families to the back waters.
“BSP got to where it is because of competition. We cannot encourage competition in a free market and then penalize success achieved through completion.
“It seems the good Treasurer has run out of ideas. There are numerous options to be taxed but he has taken the lazy way out.
“There are numerous well off individual businessmen who qualify to be included in the tax levy like Rhimbunan Hijau and New Britain Oil Palm and Mr Stuckey’s own company. Why is he not targeting them, “Mr Sekum questioned.
Ms Sapu said Digicel and BSP's operations continue to provide much needed banking and telecommunication services to the rural populace.
“This social commitment provides real time benefits to our people in the rural stations. Our mothers can bank their daily takings easily, the old folk don’t have to bury money with high of risk of theft or arson from tribal fights or parents don’t have to travel with large cash to the main centers to deposit school fees and get robbed or face an accident on the way. These benefits may seem very crude but the simple benefit of having a much safer option to saving and remitting cash is the reason why BSP as a locally owned entity continues to service its rural communities. BSP is able to operate because of Digicels coverage footprint in the country.
“The introduction of the new levy on banks will have significant impact in BSP’s share price on ASX not to mention decrease foreign investor confidence. Will this decision deter Telstra? Taking back PNG should mean better regulating of industries if there is obvious monopoly," Ms Sapu said.
The union executives further called for the Marape government to recall the budget to exclude the new tax measures concerned.
“We call on the PM to replace the Treasurer. Treasurer and his advisors must go. If they continue in their positions they make this country continue to slip down the slippery slope, “Mr Sekum said.
The PNGTUC is made up of the PNG Teachers Association, PNG Bankers and Financial Institutions Workers Union, PNG Nurses Association, Police Association. CIS, Employers Association, National Airlines’ Employers Association, Flight Attendants Association, St Johns Ambulance Security Association, WU, NCDC Workers Union and 4 others.
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