More workers, more tax

By DALE LUMA
PNG’s small workforce affects the Government’s tax revenue and budget, says Trade Union president John Paska.
While launching the United Labour Party (ULP) at the Stanley Hotel and Suites in Port Moresby on Tuesday, he said political party leaders and members of the government address the challenge of creating jobs which would have a positive impact on tax revenue.
“The workforce of Papua New Guinea is small,” Paska said.
“The labour force of PNG, which is the working people between the ages of 18 and 65 is estimated to be around six million with a total population of about 8.5 million.
“Of the six million, only 10 per cent are formal sector workers which is round about 6,000.
“This is very critical to Papua New Guinea because it means that your tax base is narrow, affecting the national budget.
“It brings to bear the challenge that faces all political parties and leaders to create regular employment so that many of our people come in to contribute towards enlarging our tax base.”
Paska said PNG’s workforce had been neglected and marginalised.
“Something has been missing in terms of recognising the role of the workforce which is the opinion that much of the workforce has.”