- Suriname: Teachers protest State’s unwillingness to reconsider VAT
The Suriname Federation of Organisations of Teachers (FOLS) is urging members to boycott classes for the next two days in protest of the government’s refusal to review the value added tax (VAT), particularly on fuel and utilities.
Suriname’s parliament passed legislation to repeal the turnover tax and replace it with a new VAT system on August 30, last year. The 10% VAT rate went into effect on January 1st of this year.
In September, Finance and Planning Minister Stanley Raghoebarsing justified the government’s decision to alter the VAT, claiming that errors in its implementation had occurred.
He informed the National Assembly that the tax base on the products should have been 60% rather than the present 38%. Raghoebarsing informed parliamentarians that the Central Bank of Suriname projected that the implementation of 10% VAT increased inflation by 1.1%, with a 40% inflation rate expected this year.
“Member associations affiliated with the FOLS are absolutely not responsible for members who do not adhere to the action motto of staying at home,” the FOLS stated in a statement, adding that the VAT will raise the cost of all elements of family life.
The Catholic Teachers’ Union (KOB), the Christian Teachers’ Union Brotherhood (COB), the Surinamese Public Teachers’ Union (SOB), the Islamic Teachers’ Union (IOB), and the Association of Teachers in Technical Education (BLTO) are all members of the FOLS.
Several instructors reacted to a call from the various unions on Wednesday, and were joined by members of the unions representing police, customs, hospitals, education, public works, and defence.
Workers had convened to debate the increased VAT, which sparked a street protest.
However, the unions have stated that the real strike will begin on Thursday, when members are expected to join in activities at Independence Square.
