The Joint Unions want GOB to forgo GST on essential goods

The Joint Unions are suggesting that the government remove the General Sales Tax (GST) on essential goods and expand the list of price-controlled goods. PSU President, Dean Flowers, says that this will offer greater protection to consumers, particularly those who are low-income earners. According to Flowers, in a meeting held in December 2022, the PM acknowledged the union’s offer to have public officers assist in the reporting of price gouging. But, so far no steps have been made toward the initiative.

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union: “In an effort to assist the Belizean public and our fellow public officers in coping with this we are suggesting for the removal of the General Sales Tax on essential goods to reduce the burden that inflation places on households while also helping to bring down inflation across the country as people are struggling or just coping with these price increases. There is also an urgent need for the price control list to be expanded to include other essential goods and food items and basic toiletries. I conclude this part of the presentation by informing you that in accordance with the ILO in the Caribbean including Belize we’ve seen real wage growth decline to -1.7% in 2022.”