THE implementation of an increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) from two per cent to ten per cent by the present government, has resulted in an increase in the cost of living in Barbados and more undue hardship on Barbadians.
Member of Parliament for St. Michael South East, Santia Bradshaw, asserted the above as she spoke in the House of Assembly this week on the National Social Responsibility Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
“The NSRL when it was introduced in the Budget of August of 2016, was met with concern across Barbados because it was felt that it would not only increase the cost of living across communities, but indeed that it was another tax burden which was being placed on the entire country,” Bradshaw told the House.
“If that wasn’t sufficient, the following year, the tax which was imposed at two per cent was then increased to ten per cent and that was to take effect from the 1st of July,” she added.
“The impact which the NSRL has had on businesses and consumers has been felt across this entire country. It actually led to over 25 000 Barbadians protesting against the impact of this levy. It resulted in the unions attempting to have a meeting with the government of Barbados, in an effort to introduce a coping subsidy for public servants in this island. I will not deviate to speak to the way in which this matter was dealt with by this administration, suffice to say that the impact of this particular levy has been felt on almost every Barbadian in this country,” she maintained, noting that businesses across the country passed on the increase to consumers.
Stressing that while the Opposition understands the need to raise taxes to pay for important social services to allow the country to run, Bradshaw however noted that where the difficulty lies, is in relation to the questions being asked about the inefficient management of the economy by this present administration. Noting that such observations are being made by international credit agencies and high-ranking banking officials across the region and not just the Opposition, she further queried whether the monies collected to date from the NSRL have been directed to the purposes identified, when the measure was introduced. (RSM)
