The Labour Party said Thursday that the Nationalist Party wants to create discrimination among workers, those who pay tax and those who don't.
While the PN insisted that no tax should be paid on the cost of living adjustment, it did not think about the thousands of workers who have collective agreements which indicate increases that are not covered by the COLA as announced in the budget. Bernard Grech wants to tax them, while not taxing others, the PL said.
In contrast, the government announced a tax reduction which was unprecedented and from which all workers will be benefiting equally, the PL said.
During a TV programme, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed that the PN's proposal would have led to a discrimination among workers, the PL said.
In reply, the PN said that Labour Party once again demonstrated its arrogance by insisting on taxing the cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase.
This is despite the fact that the proposal to make COLA untaxed is not solely a PN idea but is also supported by all unions and employer associations, the PN said.
Instead of listening to the voices of those truly feeling the challenges of the rising cost of living, Robert Abela wants to continue robbing the people.
The attack on PN Leader Bernard Grech and the PN for believing that the tax on COLA should be removed is nothing less than an attempt to deviate from the truth. The PN has always been clear that this measure is direct support for all workers who are struggling with price increases. If Robert Abela truly leads a workers' government, as he claims, he should start by removing the tax on the cost of living adjustment, the PN said.