Protests over VAT measures question promised good life

By Dreylan Johnson On In Guyana News |
Members and supporters of Red Thread gathered outside of the Ministry of Finance yesterday. “No new taxes, we already pay and punish enuf!” and “[No] VAT on human rights” were among some of the statements written on their placards. (Photo by Keno George)
Members and supporters of Red Thread gathered outside of the Ministry of Finance yesterday. “No new taxes, we already pay and punish enuf!” and “[No] VAT on human rights” were among some of the statements written on their placards. (Photo by Keno George)

Two separately organized protests in front of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday saw protestors questioning the concept of the “good life” that has continuously been promised by the Government of Guyana in light of recent Value-Added Tax (VAT) measures.

“I think the range of new taxes that the government has introduced over the last two years are extremely burdensome for the majority of the population and I think they need to rethink, they need to review the impact of these policies on working class people and even middle class people and see whether this really fulfills campaign promises, manifesto promises, promises of the good life, because certainly from my perspective the burdens are heavier and they need to reassess,” protestor Melissa Ifill commented during the protest in front of the ministry.