HH commends UPND MPs for voting against Bill to increase taxes

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has commended UPND members of parliament and other MPs that voted against the bill by government to increase various taxes on fuel,motor vehicles among others.

The bill went through in parliament with the backing of Patriotic Front Members of Parliament who are in the majority in the house.

Mr Hichilema says the UPND and other progressive members of parliament and citizens at large, opposed these taxes because Zambians are already overtaxed.

He says from an economic point of view, tax increments such as that on fuel will increase the cost of transport for passengers, merchandise and services leading to a continued rise in the cost of living.

Mr Hichilema adds that these taxes do not stimulate economic growth and job creation as the cost of doing business for many citizens and businesses is stifled.

He notes that already, mining companies and other industries are reducing their workforce due to the high cost of doing business.

The UPND leader says this means there will be increases in lots of taxes in the 2019 budget because of the PF that voted in support of these taxes.

Mr Hichilema states that it now remains to the rest of the wider population who are the real masters to use the people power and prevail.