The GRTU wants a commitment from political parties that income tax and VAT will not increase in the next legislature.
Furthermore, any decision to increase these taxes should only be made by a two-thirds parliamentary majority, the GRTU said in a political manifesto for the self-employed out today.
Director general Vince Farrugia said the GRTU also wanted a commitment that the reduction in income tax proposed in the last Budget will be permanent.
The organisation that represents the self-employed and small businesses said it was against increasing the minimum wage over and above the cost of living adjustment.
Mr Farrugia said the political manifesto will be presented to the political parties in the run up to the election. The GRTU will not endorse any political party or candidates, he said when asked.
"The European Parliament election was a unique experience and the GRTU learnt its lesson," Mr Farrugia said, adding the organisation "could not and will not" endorse any party.
He said it was unacceptable that the political parties did not sit down, under the Speaker's chairmanship, to agree on the introduction of measures that were agreeable to both sides in the wake of a negative Budget vote.
Mr Farrugia noted that access to finance from banks was a major issue for the self employed. Banks were saddled by big loans issued to the construction industry and as a result they were more cautious when giving credit to small companies with little or no security, Mr Farrugia said.
The GRTU is also calling for more competition in the energy sector. It wants the interconnector cable to Sicily to be licensed as a separate entity from the Enemalta power station and the privatisation of the distribution system.
The manifesto also calls for the creation of skills councils to identify the shortage of skills in various sectors and how to overcome the problem.
Mr Farrugia said that in many instances families at risk of poverty suffered from low job skills that prevented the breadwinner from finding a job or getting a decent income.
The manifesto covers various areas, including pensions, the rights of the self-employed, rent reform, crafts, farmers and fishermen.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com