KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Democratic Movement (NDM) has expressed extreme disappointment in the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) $1.5 million tax package, saying that the Holness Administration has continued the “deception and trickery” of past governments.

“All Jamaicans agree and believe that after nearly forty years of austerity, belt tightening, hardship, and sacrifice the people of Jamaica, especially public service employees, and all PAYE (pay as you earn) contributors deserve special consideration. This should not come at their expense and the entire population,” a press release from the NDM said Saturday.

The NDM, like the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), said the government has given with one hand and is taking back with many. The NDM further labelled the Government’s tax package as a “three-card trick”.

“A close look at the items being taxed will bring immense hardships on all Jamaicans. Petrol has been taxed once again making it a total of $23 dollars per liter; all transportation will be affected. The travel tax increase will make destination Jamaica uncompetitive at a time when Cuba is opening up. That is so near sighted! The tax on bunker oil and LNG will wipe out the little savings and relief on light bills. Lastly and most importantly, the additional money in the pockets of the beneficiaries will impact inflation and cause an additional run on the US$.” the NDM release added.

It said that the movement has been telling the JLP that their proposed tax package is well intended but is being implemented unwisely.

“All that needs to be done is, on a phased basis, remove the percentage of PAYE tax from 25 per cent to 20 per cent to 15 per cent to 10 per cent to zero over a four-year period, while focusing on productivity: the economy and jobs; justice and national security; health and early childhood education,” said the release.

“The NDM believes that the Holness JLP Government has behaved no differently than their immediate predecessor as they look to their own interest and their party’s and not to the interest of the entire country.”