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Government should rethink $1,000 payroll tax for taxi drivers – a statement by Dwayne Robinson, Former OBA Senator

By August 13, 2021No Comments

How can the Government say it’s committed to creating avenues for economic recovery yet at the same time putting barriers in place to make it harder?

Recently, we have had a number of taxi drivers express their dismay at having to pay the $1,000 payroll tax in addition to their licencing fees despite most barely making it through the pandemic—which still is not over.

Last year, drivers were given a $500 reprieve, why can’t it continue for another year?

Where is the compassion? Why can’t drivers be given some sort of relief, at least until 2022. The taxi industry has been struggling. The last thing it needs is a nail in its coffin. It has been predicted that tourism in Bermuda may not bounce back for at least another year, so why treat taxi drivers as if it already has?

Many drivers may not be able to make the payment. How can we rebuild our tourism product with the loss of several taxi operators? Why haven’t the taxi drivers been considered by the Premier as the Minister responsible for tourism?