Local pressure group for People with Disabilities (PWDs), Signs of Hope Trust has called on the Government to introduce wealth tax as a way of addressing the inequality gap between the rich and the poor.
In an interview with 263Chat on the sidelines of the multi stakeholder post budget analysis meeting, Signs of Hope director Samantha Sibanda said the inequality gap between the rich and the poor was worrisome.
“We highlighted the inequalities that exist in taxing where the poor and the rich are all being taxed the same amount so we are looking forward for these MPs to propose a wealth tax where people with more riches can be taxed more and this will close the inequality gap,” said Sibanda
Speaking at the meeting, Chairperson of the Budget Finance and Economic Development and Buhera Central legislator, Mathew Nyashanu said his committee would push for the wealth tax as a way of addressing the inequality gap.
“The committee will push for the introduction of the wealth tax as a way of addressing the inequality gaps that exist in the country,” said Nyashanu.
The legislator called on Zimbabweans to desist from depending on donors as this had only succeeded in rendering people unproductive.
Meanwhile, Kambuzuma Member of Parliament Willias Madzimure called for accurate data with regards to PWDs.
“We should become more scientific in gathering statistics on population and circumstances of the PWD’s by district so as to guarantee them social protection. We need to devise strategies that accurately inform on issues related to the disabled.” Madzimure said.
The meeting further recommended stakeholder to guarantee social protection for the vulnerable key populations and these include tax reductions for the disabled, tax benefits for pro PWD’s employers, accountability among other measures.
