Magistrates in Haiti are preparing to embark on a nine-day work stoppage as they join others, including opposition parliamentarians, in criticizing the tax measures contained in the US$2.2 billion budget.
Rejects fiscal package
The Professional Association of Magistrates (PAM) said it rejected the fiscal package that grants only Gourdes 1.2 billion to the judiciary.
PAM president Wando Saint-Villier has appealed to the judges of all the courts and tribunals to stop working from Wednesday until Friday, September 22.
“If our demands are not satisfied, we will observe an unlimited work stoppage of the recess, the first Monday of the month of October,” he added.
Protestors took to the street
On Tuesday, protestors took to the streets, damaging buildings and setting vehicles alight as they protested the budget that contained several tax increases.
Former presidential candidate Jean-Charles Moise, who was among those demonstrating, has accused the Jovenel Moise administration of putting fiscal measures in place that would hamper the development of the country.
“If Jovenel Moise is intelligent, he should refrain from publishing the budget, otherwise he will have to face a series of street demonstrations that will further complicate the situation,” Jean Charles told radio listeners.
Protesters took to the streets in separate groups in several districts in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, erecting flaming barricades, blocking traffic, and confronting riot police, who fired tear gas and warning shots in the air.
Police arrested several people. There were no reports of any deaths or serious injuries.
Last weekend, parliamentarians approved the budget of that raises taxes on products including cigarettes, alcohol and passports.
Boost in salaries
But the package includes a 74 percent boost in salaries, cars, staff and travel per diem for members of parliament.
It also provides for a new tax to be levied on Haitian citizens before they can access government services. The Gourdes 10,000 tax is also being required of Haitians living abroad.
During the budget debate last Wednesday, Senator Antonio Cheramy, snatched up the budget document and ripped it up, shouting “stop the thieves,” in an apparent a reference to senators who supported the budget.
But President Moise has defended the budget, saying it will allow the government to begin fulfilling its promise to Haitians.
