Burundi approves famine tax
2005-01-14 16:52
Nairobi - The government of Burundi has approved a tax that will go to help victims of famine in the northeastern part of the country, said a news report on Friday.
At least 100 people were reported to have died of hunger in the Muyinga and Kirundo provinces.
The government decided on a temporary tax, under which ministers and parliamentarians will pay 8% of their salaries, civil servants 2%, and unemployed households a one-off contribution equivalent to R5.76.
The collected money will go to feed up to a million people who are threatened by famine in the region.
The country's main labour union has however objected to the "national solidarity tax", saying the raised cash would be diverted to other projects or stolen.
- SAPA