PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. (File photo)
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis said he was “disappointed” to learn of some of the actions that retailers could take in response to new control measures.
The prime minister was asked to respond to talks of retailers threatening to lay off some people and/or pulling items from the shelves.
He answered: “I am disappointed in those things and I’m not going to address that. I will speak to them and hear what they say and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Mr Davis previously revealed that 38 new items will be subject to price controls.
There have been reports that food stores throughout the country were said to be “up in arms” over the details of the government’s expanded price control regime amid fears it will “devastate” the industry and jobs for hundreds of workers.
There were calls from prominent grocer Rupert Roberts that price controls be done away with.
Mr Davis was to have a meeting with retailers.
As for what he will say to them, the prime minister told reporters he was looking for them to partner with him to bring “relief to our people”.
“The government has been carrying a lot to ensure that not much burden – and we have gone as far as we can,” he said.
“And we’re looking for people to partner with us, wholesalers, and I trust that we’ll be able to persuade them to understand what is happening and why we need to do what we’re going to do.”
Comments
M0J0 1 year, 6 months ago
It only shows their true colors, they want to price things high regardless of the burdens on the people. Control them Gov. control them so they cannot send prices based on their feelings.
DDK 1 year, 6 months ago
You are obviously not a grocer. As the regressive Value Added Tax puts a huge burden on consumers and vendors, Price Control leads to shortages, also putting a burden on both vendors and consumers. Both controls should be abolished. A simple fixed 25% across the board import duty would work perfectly if not stolen by Government and its Civil Servants (and therein lies the rub).
Dawes 1 year, 6 months ago
If it was that important to keep food cheap why doesn't government eliminate all VAT and duty on all food products. In addition get rid of any taxes on grocers (business license and Real Property)? They won't of course. Its just easy for them to do this so they can blame the merchants for the cost of food when they themselves have a huge impact.
ohdrap4 1 year, 6 months ago
The difficulty is that there is no way this could be done in 4 days. Not for big or small businesses.
Also the categories are flawed. They should not control the prices of all "chicken", but rather one item like 'chicken legs" or "chicken wings".
Only specific cereals are mentioned, but turkey, chicken and pork are too general. I would have placed only one meat item on the list.
As it is , it looks that the composer of this list just wrote out his personal shopping list.
You control prices of what the poor eat, not all categories.
M0J0 1 year, 6 months ago
the rich control on the expensive products let the small man win for once.
jamaicaproud 1 year, 6 months ago
Ley me take you back to Jamaica in the 70's. You cannot have price controls with Government subsidy, which has to be paid for by increased taxation. The price of goods at source are a variable, which means, if there is a price control and profits cannot be made, suppliers will simply not import and sell.
In a importation economy, it has to be free market. It will force people to think about consuming local or regional produce. Also cut your cloth according to your size. What you can't afford you don't buy
Hobo2500 1 year, 6 months ago
We are disappointed in the PM.
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