Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Barclay
The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is threatening to take legal action against the Government if it fails to reinstitute, without condition, the 20 per cent duty concession on vehicles.
During his opening presentation in the 2008-2009 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives in April, Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced that the Government planned to limit the concession on vehicles to a c.i.f. value of a maximum of US$25,000 (J$1.7 million) and an engine size not exceeding 2500cc. Vehicles overreaching these ceilings would attract all applicable duties.
The reduction, which took effect May 1, Shaw said, was necessary to stem a history of abuse that plagued the facility.
At a central executive meeting of the JTA last Friday, a resolution was passed to challenge the Government's decision.
"Whereas the teachers, who are travelling officers, were able to use the concession in the most effective way for them and whereas the terms and conditions of the 20 per cent concession have been altered ... be it resolved that the JTA takes the following position to regain the concession," the resolution stated.
According to the resolution, the JTA will take immediate steps to meet with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to revert to the pre-Budget Debate concession privileges.
The resolution also stated that the JTA planned to consult counsel with a view to launching legal action in a similar fashion to when 300 teachers were dismissed by the former People's National Party administration.
Ena Barclay, president of the teacher union, told The Gleaner Monday that travelling officers have benefited from the concession over the years.
Barclay said the previous concession platform allowed travelling officers to buy suitable vehicles to manoeuvre along pothole-filled roads and through rough terrain.
Legal advice
She noted that correspondence was sent to the finance ministry, outlining the teachers' concerns, but the JTA had not yet received a response.
"We are going to get the legal advice because it (the duty concession) is a benefit we have been enjoying," Barclay told The Gleaner.
Barclay said the duty concession adjustment was impacting on the standard of living of teachers.
"It is very unfortunate and we have to do whatever to ensure that our rights are protected," Barclay said.
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com
