Minority questions Parliament's GHS174m tax waiver approval for frontline workers
- Parliament has given the go ahead for a GHS174 income tax waiver for frontline workers
- The Minority in Parliament questioned the criteria for the classification of frontline workers
- Ras Mubarak, has also alleged that officials of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) have been included to benefit from the waiver
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Parliament has given the go ahead for a GHS174 income tax waiver for frontline workers.
This waiver is expected to operationalise the 50% tax-free basic salary per month President Akufo-Addo promised as an incentive for frontline workers who are risking their lives in the COVID-19 fight.
In a report filed by Ghanareport, the Minority in Parliament questioned the criteria for the classification of frontline workers.
Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak, has alleged that officials of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) have been included to benefit from the waiver.
READ ALSO: Ghana Armed Forces: Parliament approves $86m loan for purchase of armoured cars
As the incentive does not cover all workers in the health sector, he found it curious for the inclusion of security officials
Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, presented the report on the issue to the House on Friday, August 14, and indicated that personal emoluments for the front liners are estimated at GHS168 million with additional allowances totalling GHS5 million.
The outgoing MP for New Juaben South named workers of government health facilities, quasi-government health facilities as well as private health facilities as beneficiaries of the intervention.
“The Committee was informed that there has been a challenge in defining who a frontline worker is but in collaboration with the relevant agencies, a working definition of who a frontline health personnel is, has been accepted,” he told the House.
READ ALSO: NPP government introduces new allowance for teachers
In other news, Parliament of Ghana approved an $86 million loan facility for the procurement of armoured cars for the Ghana Armed Forces.
Out of the $86 million loan facility gotten from Isreal, about $80 million of the amount will go to Elbit Systems Land Limited of Israel for the supply of the vehicles.
The rest of the $6 million will go to firms arranging the facility and other associated costs. Minority Chief Whip of parliament, Muntaka Mubarak stated that the minority had concerns about the purchase.
READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo cuts sod for construction of health facilities in Accra
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Source: YEN.com.gh
