The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has criticised the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government over the 2.5 percent Health and Citizen Security Levy.
Opposition Senator Herod Stanislas described the measure as ‘cruel and unnecessary’.
And Stanislaus hoped the ‘heartless’ SLP government would reconsider ‘this abomination’.
At a Thursday opposition news conference, he said the UWP learned that the Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association (SMA) had written to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to complain about the new levy.
UWP Public Relations Officer Lenard ‘Spider’ Montoute also addressed the news conference.
Montoute expressed concern over the levy’s impact on small, medium, and micro businesses amid high inflation.
He explained that while larger businesses might be able to absorb the 2.5 percent levy, that would make the smaller businesses uncompetitive and possibly result in the demise of start-up enterprises.
The former Minister declared that people would expect that under the circumstances, the government would implement policies to lighten the burden of the high cost of living.
“This is certainly not the approach to be taken if you are to build an economy,” the former Gros Islet MP asserted regarding the 2.5 percent levy.
According to Montoute, merchants would naturally pass on additional costs to the consumer, making life harder, especially for single parents and low-income citizens.
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The SLP-led government reduced VAT on building materials from 12.5% to 0% starting on August 2, 2023. The UWP crackpots denounced PM Pierre as a lunatic. The government, on the other hand, imposed a 2.5% health and security levy which was met with derision and disbelief by the opposition. What does the UWP stand for?
Oho what happen to the 60 % on the the gas?
Chas tell our people to keep quiet for a time. You have not apologize for calling George Eugene’s daughtet, a supporter of the UWP a “non entity”.
We the Cepal , Boulai, Jawahir, and all the others have not forgive Allen for that. M we will play hypocrite but we need an apology.
You’ll people living in LaLa land. They should tax You’ll backsides until You’ll have to walk around naked.
@John Cepal, aren’t you an Adventist that goes to church every Saturday? the pastor never told you that God said you must forgive others if you want your father in heaven to forgive you also?