MANDATE accuses Government of ‘shameful’ targeting of low income workers while Anglo Bondholders receive €3.1bn
Thursday 29 March 2012Union claims low income workers suffer from Household Charge while Government make Anglo payout on same day
Mandate Trade Union has today accused the Government of shamefully targeting workers on lower and middle incomes while they continue to protect Anglo Bondholders who will receive €3.1bn. They also criticised the Government’s timing in paying Anglo Bondholders the same day of the unfair and regressive Household Charge deadline.
The union’s General Secretary, John Douglas, claimed that it disgraceful that Anglo Bondholders will receive €3.1bn of tax payers money on the same day they have set as the deadline for unfair Household Charge.
He said: “While stealth tax increases and welfare cuts disproportionately affect those on lower incomes, this Fine Gael / Labour Government continue to protect the richest. The Household Charge is unfair and regressive because it levies every household regardless of income. It is completely nonsensical that low income workers are punished for a bank that they had nothing to do on the same day they are expected to pay an unfair charge that has a huge effect on their income stream.
“The Government have stated they are trying to avoid making the Anglo payment and we hope that this will be the case because expecting workers to face the hefty bill for these ‘gamblers’ debts is an absolute disgrace.”
Mr Douglas continued “The cuts and taxes this Government and its predecessor continue to make have made the situation much worse for families on lower incomes who are barely keeping their heads above water add to that the insult of making them pay a debt they had nothing to do with is nothing short of appalling.
“Maybe it is time for the Government to re-evaluate their priorities” John Douglas concluded.
