MPs: Monitoring system needed to keep market prices of sanitary pads in check

Lawmakers have called the government to put a monitoring mechanism in place to check businesses lower the market prices of sanitary pads and tampons after import tax on the products are cut.

Many of the lawmakers who spoke during the preliminary debate at the Parliament this Wednesday morning on the amendment to the Goods and Services Tax Act to cut import tax on sanitary pads and tampons spoke in support of the Bill.

Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam pointed out that market prices of many of the products with zero import tariff remain high, with businesses refusing to lower prices.

“They don’t lower the prices despite the tax being cut. It is important to check prices are lowered. A monitoring mechanism needs to be put in place to ensure benefits of cutting the tax,” said Rozaina.

Biledhdhoo MP Ahmed Mubeen also supported the Bill and said many of the countries across the world have cut tax on basic products such as sanitary pads.

Mubeen said that sanitary pads and tampons, despite being a basic necessity, are sold at different prices by different businesses.

“The prices of such basic products need to be controlled same as prices of staples are controlled. It needs to be ensured the prices are lowered and its benefits enjoyed by the people once the tax is cut,” said Mubeen.

He also stressed the need to find other sources of generating income to the State to replace the income which will be lost from implementing the legislature.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke during the debate also pointed out the irony of taxing basic products such as sanitary pads while cutting taxes on luxury products.

Vaikaradhoo MP Mohamed Nazim said the previous administration had cut import tax on luxury yachts and gold, “items the ordinary citizens are the least familiar with”.

“Duty should be imposed on these items. If a resort is being built, import duty for all goods are cut. Fishing is a business ordinary citizens start by taking a loan. Cutting import duty for fishing products will be beneficial to the public,” said Nazim.