Taxation or Extortion: Banking Charges and Taxes crippling the Ordinary Man

By Kymberli Whittaker

Effective June 1, 2014, a new tax will be imposed on all withdrawals from deposit-taking institutions through electronic banking, point of sale transactions (debit cards), cheques, banking hall transactions, ABMs, ATMs, ETMs and internet transfers. The only exception is internet transfers made by a person between his accounts in the same financial institution.

This move has been made in a context where Jamaicans have been pleading for relief from an unprecedented increase in Commercial Bank charges and fees. In an interim report to Parliament, the BOJ said fee income, not including fees for loan processing, now accounts for the larger percentage of total revenue for commercial banks.

For the nine-month period January 1, 2013 to September 30, the BOJ said total fee revenue stood at 19.5 per cent. Fee revenue was recorded at 16.6 per cent in 2012, 13.6 per cent in 2011, and 14.9 per cent in 2010.

The report, which was prepared for the Economy and Production Committee, indicates that the portion of income earned by commercial banks in relation to overhead expenses is the highest in six years. It further shows that in terms of cost recovery, fee income, excluding fees for loan processing, moved from 26.4 per cent in 2008 to 28.6 per cent last year.

It is evident that the commercial banks are looking to increase revenue and the government is looking to increase revenue all at the expense of the law abiding citizens. Banking is a business however where do we draw the line in what is acceptable?

This move to tax withdrawals will affect the group least protected by our Government, the middle class who bear the brunt of the financial burden of this country. This dwindling middle class who is already lawfully paying income tax and other sums which are diverted to mismanaged institutions in the name of attaining growth and stability. Money diverted to pay for roads with huge potholes, to pay exorbitant fees to the money making entities which have been divested by our government in the name of them making a profit, not breaking even.

The local think tank Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) has stated that Jamaicans are not paying an unreasonable amount for bank fees, despite the significant rise in fees. In a report following a recently -concluded study, CaPRI said, "When viewed holistically, it is clear that for most of the commonly charged fees, Jamaican banks compare favourably with the banks sampled from other countries."

I assure CaPRI that the dynamics of other countries in terms of the financial spending power of their citizens are not comparable with ours, so referencing  countries, such as Barbados is not an appropriate measuring stick. Their minimum wage can go much further than ours, as I lived in that country myself for two years.

Mr Hylton, Group Managing Director  of the NCB told the  Economy and Production Committee of Parliament  that bank's fees and ratio of fee income to other income are competitive based on local, regional and international benchmarks, it is important to note that our salary and our standard of living do not compare relatively to these same benchmarks.  The people using the commercial banks here in Jamaica are the same ones who are affected by wage freezes, pay cuts etc, no employment, etc.

"Every mickle makes a muckle", and it seems as if no one desires that the working man keeps his mickle. Our salary is taxed prior to being deposited in the bank by our employers, it is subject to banking rates and taxes while in the bank and it will be taxed upon withdrawal of sums for our livelihood. What is the aim of the government? To decrease the revenue of the bank as a result of the foreseen preventative actions of many who will choose not to deposit their few dollars in the bank. Many persons bank for safety reasons, what are the perceived repercussions?

Many people say the ruling party, the PNP is not a government for the poor, I believe they are because the persons living in abject poverty will not be affected by the majority of their decisions. Who is affected? The middle class or the ordinary man.  We are being penalized for earning our money, saving our money, and spending our money.  What more do you want from us?

Jamaica needs a Revolution.

Stemming the Tide of Murder-Suicides in the Jamaican Constabulary Force

 By: Kymberli Whittaker

"He was a hardworking officer, we never saw it coming"...."How could he do this to his family?"...."What could lead him to this point to kill himself?".... "Could I have done more to help?"...Heart wrenching musings of persons who battle with knowing the perpetrator of a murder-suicide".

Murder-suicide, refers to an incident where a homicide/ killing is committed followed by the perpetrator's suicide almost immediately or within 24 hours after the homicide. Murder is a crime which has to some extent become desensitized  in our society as a result of the steady and unabating occurrence in Jamaica which is captured in explicit detail by our media houses.  We simply ignore  crimes until we or our loved ones are  the ones affected.

Murder-suicides however  in relation to other crimes are relatively uncommon but are increasing at an alarming rate in one particular sector in Jamaica; the sector where the persons vow  “To Protect and Serve”: The Jamaican Constabulary Force.

There are no statistics detailing the frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon in Jamaica, however reading our nations newspapers or watching our daily news, it has become evident that occurrence is increasing in regularity to the demise of our nation.

We are quick to condemn family members, spouses or affiliates of gunmen who end up  losing their lives or being hurt at the hands of those criminals, yet we as a nation are not removing the veils from our eyes to see that the carrying of a firearm even though legal, puts the family, friends and affiliates of the legal firearm holder at risk. At any time, given the state of mind of the holder anyone can die. It is a sad fact that being a Police Officer does not preclude them from committing a crime and we need to step up to the plate and be able to identify warning signs in the otherwise “law-abiding” citizen, to protect ourselves as it is not guaranteed that we can trust them to protect us.

I categorically state that there is a dilemma in our Police Force.  It is evident that needs are not being effectively met, police officers are slipping through the cracks and they are killing others and themselves. I am not able to speak to the Jamaica Defence Force as even though charged with similar duties, the transgressions of that group are not splattered across our headlines, however the legal gun touters in the JCF are committing crimes not only against themselves but against the wider populace.

It would appear based on the news reports that in Jamaica, Most murder-suicides are spousal/consortial, involving a man killing his wife, girlfriend, ex-wife, or ex-girlfriend, and it is safe to say that most if not all are committed by men. Where the public has to worry about crime perpetuated by stranger, family members and intimate partners of the officers in the police force have a lot to be worried  about and they may be in a real danger which may be concealed from the not so observant onlooker.

Pressure

When the pressure erupts in the life of an officer, anyone in their life may be at risk .I will not in any way seek to down-play the role of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the life of an officer, as the work which they undertake on a daily basis may be quite stressful…working long hours to protect citizens in a system which sees them as “Babylon”..they are disrespected by many citizens and to add to this, their pay is not commensurate with the daily risks which they take. All of these factors compounded with the taking of a life in the course of duty which  has psychological repercussions may not be addressed adequately in training and throughout their lifetime of service

Police are expected to take command of all situations, they are who we turn to when we are in need of help. Who are they to turn to? Men especially in Jamaica are not bred or socialized to show weaknesses and thus internalize any signs which would deem them as being weak which is synonymous with being incapable. Police officers are not only men, but they are seen as the “Law” or “Enforcers of the Law”. Yes there is the Chaplaincy Unit or Counselling unit of the JCF which is an avenue for Officers who are not coping to get assistance, but how many Officers will in a emasculating move accept that they are buckling under the pressures of service: I assure you- not many.

Power of the gun

Many underestimate the power of the gun- the feel of an instrument which guarantees you automatic fear or respect from others. Handling one daily may give the holder a feeling of being untouchable as they are the ones in control, but yet off the job they have to contend with personal relationships which may not be going in their way. They control their world while on the clock, but while off the clock, what do they have to do to maintain the respect in their family lives? Some officers resort to violence, they are not bred to talk and reason, instead they are bred to use actions instead of words. When this switch cannot be turned off while in the home arena, problems arise, ranging from verbal disagreements to domestic violence and sadly ultimately to death.This is exacerbated by financial distress, substance abuse or being investigated, internally or by IINDECOM. 

Police Officers face unique stresses , however they are less likely to ask for help. We cannot assume that they have their lives together, more needs to be done, or else these spate of murder-suicides will continue. Periodic mental evaluation of officers is key as our officers are at risk of losing perspective and becoming lethally broken

The signs are there

I cannot accept that no-one saw the changes coming in the officer to result in a murder-suicide . The signs no matter how minute are  there The duty rests on everyone to protect themselves and speak up to assist their loved ones. Report any disturbing behaviour to save not only yourselves but also them, because at the end of the day, the “I should have” or “I wish I had” will not turn back the hands of time and save lives.