Deputy Speaker, yesterday, employees of the SA Revenue Service, Sars, embarked on industrial action in pursuit of a wage increase, which is continuing today. The DA supports the right of employees to take appropriate industrial action. This right, however, must not interfere with the rights of others.
Our economy is in its deepest recession in living memory and Sars performs a crucial function in its collection of the income that is required by government to function effectively, and in its activities at border posts to ensure that our tariff regime is properly implemented. This function is to the benefit of all South Africans, especially given that we will experience a significant revenue shortfall this year.
The deadline for individual taxpayers to submit their manual tax returns is next Friday, 18 September 2009. Many taxpayers must make use of tax offices across the country to assist them with completing their documentation, and take leave to do this. Reports indicate that service at Sars offices across the country has virtually ground to a halt.
The rights of hardworking taxpayers must not be ignored in this dispute. The DA calls on Sars to extend the manual submission date by at least one day for each day of the strike. This will demonstrate that Sars is sensitive to the needs of its customers, many of whom simply cannot afford to sit and wait for a service to which they are entitled. Thank you.