MISA GRATEFUL FOR TEMPORARY GENERAL TAX RELIEF ON FUEL, BUT SEEKS LONGTERM SOLUTION

 

MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, is grateful that the Ministers of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe and of Finance, Enoch Godongwana responded to the Union’s plea to intervene to protect workers against skyrocketing global fuel hikes, but still believe the overall, review of the pricing methodology for petrol is urgent.

 

Martlé Keyter, MISA Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says Mantashe has yet to respond to MISA’s request of three weeks ago, to be included as a stakeholder in the motor retail industry in Government’s task team making the calculations.

 

“For now the intervention of both departments shielded motorists and commuters from the impact of the crude oil price. The intervention in line with similar steps other countries have taken recently to relief the burden.”

 

The price of petrol 93 is up by 28 c per litre, petrol 95 is up 36 c per litre and diesel R1,52 (0,05 sulphur) and R1,68 (0,005 sulphur) per litre as of midnight. According to a statement of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy there is a shortage of diesel supply due to lower exports from Russia.

 

“Going forward, MISA is very concerned about the suggestion by Mantashe’s department to simply cut the profit margins of the retailer in the fuel supply chain. This will only result in retailers cutting back on operational costs by retrenching fuel attendants.

 

“The motor retail industry can’t afford more retrenchments. With a staggering unemployment rate of 35.3%, Government needs to create jobs, not destroy them. MISA’s more than 53 000 members being dependent on motor vehicle- and component sales, vehicle services and repair work,” says Keyter.

 

Issued on behalf of MISA by Sonja Carstens, Media, Liaison and Communication Specialist.

For MISA Press Releases, phone Carstens on 082 463 6806 or email Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za.