Mass protest in Corfu against tax bill despite the rain
CORFU. Due to the downpour, the protest lasted only a few minutes and the bodies headed to the former Prefecture, where the Tax Office is housed to submit a resolution to Corfu Tax Office, as representatives of the Ministry of Finance.
There was large turnout at today's protest of the self-employed professionals, as part of nationwide protests against the tax bill, demanding its complete withdrawal.
The adverse weather conditions did not prevent the professional and scientific organisations from protesting in front of the Corfu Workers Centre, responding to the call for participation by unions and associations of self-employed professionals. The protest was also supported by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Corfu branch, as well as Corfu SYRIZA, Ekkinisi, LASY Ionian Islands and Corfu 180, whose members stood by the self-employed professionals' side.
The accounting offices remained closed, retail shops were closed for two and a half hours, while the two taxi associations also participated in the 24-hour strike from 5 a.m. on Wednesday. However, there will be personnel available to handle emergency situations.
Due to the downpour, the protest lasted only a few minutes and the bodies headed to the former Prefecture, where the Tax Office is housed to submit a resolution to Corfu Tax Office, as representatives of the Ministry of Finance, which was signed by all 22 entities of self-employed professionals in Corfu who took part in the protest.
Critical
In their statements to the media, the entities of self-employed professionals expressed their satisfaction for the great participation in the protest, stressing that the coordination of so many bodies was something unprecedented for Corfu and if required more will follow.
They were particularly critical of the provisions of the bill, noting that it creates an unfavourable situation and an uncertain professional future for them.
"A tax bill is being promoted, which includes provisions that will mainly affect people with middle and low incomes. Tax evasion is certainly something we all want to crack down on, but there are clearly other more modern ways and we can learn from foreign countries. Horizontal measures are not the way to fight tax evasion," said the Corfu Lawyers Association President Yiannis Kontos amongst other things.
The organisations are calling for the complete withdrawal of the new legislative proposal, as they argue that it is horizontal tax-collection and anti-development. They are also demanding a crackdown on tax evasion through fair and not unjust means, the immediate abolition of the luxury tax, the elimination of the advance tax payment, and tax exemption up to €12,000.
22 entities of self-employed professionals took part in this protest that follows the meeting held on Friday 17 November at the initiative of the Corfu Lawyers Association.
The following organisations are participating in today's protest:
Corfu Lawyers Association, Corfu Chamber of Commerce, Technical Chamber, Corfu Economic Chamber, Corfu Medical Association, Corfu Pharmaceutical Association, Corfu Association of Accountants, Association of Corfu Tourist Agents, Corfu Notaries Association, Federation of Rental Accommodation Owners, Corfu Trade Association, Corfu Association of Judicial Trustees, Corfu Restaurateurs Association, Association of Corfu Old Town Entertainment Establishment Owners, Corfu Taxi Association, Corfu Taxi Cooperative, Corfu Association of Jewellers, Unified Association of Shop Owners in Corfu, Corfu Commerce Federation, Corfu Federation of Artisan Merchants, Corfu Association of Bookshop Owners.
MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI
