New taxes on persons with disability

Until the end of last December, persons with disability had partial or total exemption from taxes on car registration and also on road licences. This benefit was granted by the government because of the validity of the need.

As from January 1, 2009, the Ministry of Finance introduced a new system with regards to the tax on car registration and the road licence. This system is going to affect persons with disability and their families who decide to change or buy a new car. The information of how this new system is going to affect persons with disability was given directly to them and to the representatives of voluntary organisations working within the disability sector during a public meeting held on June 5.

While the Movement in Favour of Rights of Persons with a Disability (MFRPD) appreciates the initiative from the National Commission Persons with Disability (NCPD) to hold the meeting, it must also bring to the NCPD's attention that in our opinion this information should have been discussed with all concerned before the decisions for such a system were taken.

A disability in the family brings about many extra financial burdens. Having a car is not a luxury for the families of /and persons with disability. It is a necessity. With the new system, if the person with disability affected is employed, in five years' time he/she must revise his/her budget and this to include the new system's effects. If on the other hand, the person involved relies on the disability pension, in five years time he/she has to squeeze in an additional entry in his/her budget.

The MFRPD doubts whether the true effects of this new system on the persons involved were seriously taken into consideration when taking this decision.

It is evident that this issue has been discussed and dealt with in a very short time while other very important and urgent issues which regard persons with disability, such as the unemployment and the inadequate pension issues, are still at a status quo.

After so many years we are still facing a situation where persons with disability, especially those with intellectual disability, are still not being employed.

We also have a disability pension which is not adequate for the needs of the persons receiving it.

Can these issues also be put on top of the government's agenda?