PSOJ: Hold talks on fuel cess

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has called for the Government and Opposition, "as a matter of urgent and vital importance", to open dialogue concerning the fuel tax regime and its role within the broader tax system.

"Jamaica faces many challenges, and our success in meeting those challenges will be greatly enhanced by an environment characterised by respectful, open, and constructive dialogue among Government and Opposition," the Joseph M. Matalon-led PSOJ stated in a release. "We believe that the Jamaican people deserve nothing less."

In the release, issued before the Government announced a temporary rollback in the tax on fuel last night, the PSOJ also appealed to the People's National Party (PNP) to cancel any plans they might have for organised protests.

real danger

Stating that it was aware of and shared concerns about the negative impact of continuing fuel price increases, the private sector group stressed that there was potential for civil disorder as a result of such organised protests, and a real danger that a minority of criminal elements would take advantage of such protests to wreak havoc on the society and to disrupt the country's already fragile economy.

"Furthermore, and without making any judgement as to the merits of the calls for such revisions, we believe that any changes to the fuel tax regime should only be instituted in the context of a process of comprehensive tax reform, and only after rigorous analysis of policy implications and appropriate consultations among a broad cross section of stakeholders, both within and outside of the transportation sector," the PSOJ said.