Council of Social Services offers suggestions to deal with debt
Members of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) have offered suggestions on how and what Government should prioritise in the debt situation.
FCOSS executive director Vani Catanasiga said any information to do with VAT needed some time to process.
Ms Catanasiga is one of the speakers in Plenary Session 1 today themed: The State of the Economy and Future for Fiscal Policy.
“We have already talked about how that might look at community level and family level and also made suggestions as to how and what Government should prioritise,” Ms Catanasiga said.
“What the World Bank advises is one option. We have also spoken to our members over the last week and they are aware of the debt situation and the needed changes or reforms to be introduced.
“Anything to do with VAT we want to take some time to process because the impact is different for different vulnerable groups, we know that there are suggestions to change the tax schedule because of where we are as a country.”
She highlighted that it was important to be inclusive.
“When we sat in our meeting last week when we talked about growth it needs to be inclusive growth and that means the women, elderly and people living with disability are also in this growth, the growth that comes out of this will benefit all
When it comes to cutting expenditure, there is a general feeling that it is needed and we accept that, but that must ensure that it is ABOUT EFfiCIENCY AND effectiveness and not just about slashing.
Vani Catanasiga Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director
and not just a few,” Ms Catanasiga said.
“When it comes to cutting expenditure, there is a general feeling that it is needed and we accept that, but that must ensure that it is about efficiency and effectiveness and not just about slashing.
“The consultation last week with the support of UNDP and PIANGO was really to touch base with the members who are representatives even from the Eastern Division who are often left out of the conversation and they helped us shape what we will take to the summit.”