Business Community Demands Apology

Details

Business News

Monday, 19 March 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St John's - Comments made by newly appointed parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health, Senator Malaka Parker, have drawn the ire of the head of one of the country’s leading business organisations.

Last Thursday, Senator Parker made brief remarks at a debate held to mark World Consumers’ Rights Day, during which she noted that the function was sparsely attended, and in her view, “if the occasion was one where the debate was ‘how to find new ways to rob the consumer,' the place would be packed full and overflowing”.

But President of the Antigua Employers Federation Acres Stowe took issue with Senator Parker, calling on her to retract her comments and offer an apology to the business community.

“At first, I was extremely disappointed and appalled by Senator Parker’s comments, especially in her area of responsibility, she would have had opportunity to discuss and have a broader perspective. But I hope that on reflection, she would take the comments back,” Stowe said on Observer Radio.
He said his interpretation of the comments was that the business community was a group of opportunists and con artists.

“In my mind, when she said if the debate was on ‘how to find new ways to rob consumers,’ the place would be packed and overflowing, suggests that we are opportunists," Stowe said. "She also said that is why financial services, retail outlets, and other outlets are able to ‘skillfully con us at times,’ and that this suggests that the business community comprises con artists."

He called on Senator Parker, who was making her first public statement since her recent appointment, to issue an apology to the business community. “I really think that Senator Parker needs to apologise to the business community for these obviously ill-thought out statements, as this is certainly not the way to begin to encourage a mutual relationship between consumers and the business community,” he added.

On the issue of the new taxation on allowances and benefits, Stowe said he was disappointed that the government appears to have no other option but to introduce the new taxes. “We are disappointed that in an already struggling economy, the government appears to have little option but to put additional burden on disposable income,” he said.


He said notwithstanding this, a number of business entities, including the Federation, the Antigua Chamber of Commerce, the Bankers’ Association and the Antigua Business Alliance had been having consultation with the government to arrive at a "less Draconian package that will have no impact on low income earners, and little impact on middle income earners".

The Federation president said his major concern is for taxpayers to see tangible evidence that their tax dollars are properly spent in terms of infrastructural improvements and better services.

• < Prev
• Next >