Divide over BRA bill

CONCERNS ABOUT STAFF being placed at any disadvantage under the proposed Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) was one of the issues raised when the legislation for its establishment came up for debate last night in the House of Assembly.
Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, who introduced the bill, indicated that workers opting to be shifted under the new agency, which would be a statutory corporation, would not be disadvantaged in any move from their central government positions.
Those with five or less years before their retirement would not lose any of their benefits, he said, and recommendations had been made to the minister responsible for the Civil Service for amendment to the relevant legislation.
However, Opposition Leader Mia Mottley said there were a number of concerns by the National Union of Public Workers and employees, particularly those not wanting to transfer, now working within the various agencies which are to fall under BRA.
The BRA will consolidate the functions of the Department of Inland Revenue, Land Tax Department, VAT and Excise Divisions of the Customs and Excise Department, and the revenue-collecting functions of the Barbados Licensing Authority.