Scores of casino workers gathered in front of the Parliament Building in Port-of-Spain on Friday to protest the increased taxes imposed on the gaming industry. They are worried that as a result of that measure many of them will lose their jobs. Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced the increases during his mid year budget review but did not give details.
Assistant secretary of the Union of Members Club and Lottery Workers (UMCLW) Joshua Johnson said the sector currently employs about 9,000 people, many of them single mothers.
“These single mothers fight for survival and now they are afraid they will be sent home. Who will care for their children?” he asked. Johnson said in 2013 more than 2,500 workers were sent home and scores of businesses were forced to close. He is worried that might happen again this year.
UMCLW general secretary Cindy Gibbs-Mohammed said the gaming industry has seen increases in tax by 100 per cent in 2002, 25 per cent in 2003 and 125 per cent increase in 2013.
“Based on this we anticipate a more than 100 per cent tax increase,” she said.
UMCLW members are calling for an urgent meeting with Imbert to discuss their concerns.