ICU appeals to government to reduce high taxes

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, ICU has appealed to government to explore untapped avenues for more taxes, instead of imposing new taxes and levies on those currently in the tax net who are already overburdened. 

Deputy General Secretary of the ICU, Morgan Ayawine in an interview with Radio Ghana, called for measures to reduce the high taxes on incomes especially overtime to ameliorate the current economic challenges facing workers.

He appealed to government to shelve any plans towards taxing pension benefits because people on retirement in their working time met their tax obligations. 

He said workers were shocked about recent reports of plans to tax pensions and allowances saying, if implemented will have dire consequences on retirement benefits.   

Turning to the proposed private participation in ECG, Mr Ayawine urged President Mahama to reconsider the decision and rather ensure that government institutions settle their indebtedness to the company to put it on a sound footing. 

The ICU Deputy General Secretary reminded the President of his promise at this year’s May Day celebration not to privatize ECG, hoping he will go by it. 

Mr Ayawine appealed to union leaders and management at all work establishments to always resort to dialogue in resolving disagreements. 

According to him, arbitrary decisions only create industrial disharmony which impact negatively on productivity and quality service delivery. 

GBC