Restore tax exemption on overtime

The National Executive Council of the Maritime and Dockworkers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on government to restore the exemption of tax overtime for workers in the maritime sector in the interests of productivity and efficient operations.

The Council at its 59th Regular Session held in Tema on Wednesday, said tax imposed on overtime has been a great disincentive to workers to undertake overtime.

"We are calling on government and its tax agencies to restore the exemption of tax on overtime for maritime employees to increase productivity and efficiency in port operations.

"The Council acknowledges that overtime work is a sine qua non for efficient maritime operations; it is evident concern that tax imposed on overtime work had become a disincentive for maritime employees to undertake overtime," Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, General Secretary of the Maritime and Dockworkers Union, told the B&FT.

According to the Council, maritime employees in the past enjoyed tax exemption on overtime which resulted in increased productivity and efficiency in port operations.