Ease the VAT on specific consumer goods for Christmas

Dec 10, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
As the festive season approaches, Guyanese will be looking forward for their Government to ease their economic burden in the hope that their families have a fairly decent holiday. I, therefore, wish to ask the Government what plans it has to ensure that Guyanese families, especially the children, are spared the wrath of their economic burden this season.
I read a few weeks ago that the Government was able to recoup over $16 billion revenue from the Value Added Tax (VAT). This high percentage tax (16%) has been one of the major contributing factors to the harsh economic realities Guyanese continue to face. It would therefore be a welcoming gesture if the Government abandons this tax from those consumer goods that Guyanese are likely to purchase during this festive season.
Top of the list of VAT-free items should be toys for children. Too often we are taken up with those things that matter more to the ‘visible consumers,’ and neglect the silent minority (our children), who are only recognised when they take part in some unthinkable act. But we fail to recognise that our own inadvertent or advertent act of neglecting them contributes to a decline in their self-esteem, self-confidence, values, and a sense of self-worth. The Government must realise that many Guyanese families are struggling to cook a basic meal, and therefore will find it even harder to buy toys to warm the hearts of their children, even when there is no VAT tax.
It is thus the duty of any caring government to respond to these dire circumstances faced by its people. I therefore urge the President and his administration to respond positively to these real challenges Guyanese families are facing.
In light of the global economic crisis, countries all over the world are initiating tangible economic relief projects and programmes to bring some kind of short-term relief to their people. These range from stimulus packages to increased food stamps or food vouchers, among other initiatives.
The fact is that Guyanese families have been facing economic hardship long before the global crisis, so it is understood that our burden will only be greater. A bold, non-partisan and sincere effort is warranted to appease the growing economic frustration we face.
To help our people at this time is not only necessary, but will be in keeping with the “goodwill” theme associated with the season. Let us bring some smiles to the faces of our children, as we demand a VAT-free holiday shopping. This cannot be too much for a struggling people to ask for.
Lurlene Nestor

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Ease the VAT on specific consumer goods for Christmas

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