Thousands of Barbadian public and private sector workers along with business owners took to the streets of Bridgetown Monday morning in protest to a jacked up import tax and government’s refusal to discuss their calls for a repeal or softening of the levy.
Since government increased the National Social Responsibility Levy from two percent on all imports to 10 percent effective July 01 the major trades unions and private sector organisations have been calling for talks with government to lessen the impact of this increased tax, which is likely to cause a skyrocket in inflation because Barbados imports more than 70 percent of its goods and inputs for services.
This morning protest march followed five days of go-slow on the job mixed with sick-outs, all in attempt to get government to the bargaining table.
But on Sunday Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said that the tax will not change because of a march, and he will do nothing too avert the protests.
“People of Barbados have to see what is possible around here and how far people will go in pursuit of their perverse objectives.”
