The GRTU said today that excise duties on a range of products announced in the budget will increase administrative costs for businesses and lead to price increases for consumers. It said it will seek a meeting with the Minister of Finance and call for the duties to be removed. Directives will be issued to retailers "should the government not be open to discussion and retraction." The GRTU said the government was imposing duties on a ridiculous number of products including personal care and hygiene, toiletries, make-up, skincare and hair products, shampoos, deodorants, personal cleaning products, aftershave, room-deodorisers, soaps and shower gels as well as pre-fabricated concrete, tile ceramics, glass sheets and metal. The union said it had not been consulted about this decision, even though it would affect productivity, business viability and competitiveness and raise consumer prices. "These are goods that are an everyday necessity for consumers and will inevitably result in an increase in consumer prices that will hit lower income earners hardest. This is a direct incentive for consumers to acquire goods from abroad and attempt to bypass the system of excise," it said. The...
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