site.bta"All Political Forces Should Adopt Income Increase as Common Cause" - Tradeunionist

"All Political Forces Should Adopt Income Increase as Common Cause" - Tradeunionist

Sofia, December 23 (BTA) - "The increase of incomes should be adopted as a common cause by all political forces in coming years," Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov said in a BTA interview.

He argued that in 2016 the powerholders' restrictive financial policy and aspiration to keep the budget deficit low again postponed the increase of income in crucial spheres. "Where incomes did rise, this was not enough to make itself tangibly felt by Bulgarian citizens," according to Dimitrov.

"In tax policy, we have seen again a refusal to introduce a tax threshold and steps towards progressive income taxation, on which we have been insisting for years," he commented.

"We appreciate the upward trend in the minimum monthly wage: 420 leva in 2016, 460 leva in 2017 and 460 leva in 2018. This will have a favourable impact on consumption and, hence, on an increase of domestic demand," the interviewee pointed out.

"We acknowledge this country's economic growth in 2016 but believe that it could have been higher if bolder measures were taken to boost consumption, export and investment activity," Dimitrov said.

"The 2017 budget leaves underfinanced the social service establishments, school and child health care, and science represented by the Agricultural Academy. Unless budget expenditures are restructured, there will be tensions and even protests in these spheres," the tradeunionist warned.

"In my opinion, the budget will be updated, and we hope that this blatant injustice will be righted," Dimitrov said.

"A small tax is levied on the banking system, whereas its January-October profit added up to 1,200 million leva. Working people in this country pay more than businesses, and corporate taxation is outdated," the CITUB President insisted. The CITUB will raise the issue of a tax system reform with the parties during the upcoming election campaign, he said.