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Caribbean unionists address corporate tax justice at capacity-building workshop
Participants at the tax workshop in AntiguaUnion representatives from across the Caribbean gathered to discuss the implications of global tax standards and the need for sustainable development models.
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Network of Unions for Tax Justice
On June 6-7, 2024, over 20 union representatives from the Caribbean region convened at the historic headquarters of the Antiguan Workers’ Union for a workshop on corporate tax justice and sustainable development models. The event, part of the NUTJ's global capacity-building efforts, featured insights on corporate tax avoidance, emphasising the necessity of analysing CIT policy from a Caribbean worker perspective.
Participants explored the implications of global tax standards, such as BEPS and Pillar 2, acknowledging the heritage of colonisation and the self-serving nature of global tax rules for the Global North. The discussions highlighted the regressive tax systems in the region, which place a high burden on consumers through goods and services taxes, while wealthy individuals and corporations face minimal taxation. This disparity has led to significant inequalities and underfunded public services.
A key presentation by the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR) revealed the practices of the Canadian energy company Emera, which operates in several Caribbean countries, Canada, and the U.S. CICTAR's analysis indicated that Emera pays no corporate taxes in the Caribbean due to tax incentives meant to encourage private investment. However, these investments have not significantly benefited essential public services. The analysis showed that despite paying some level of CIT, Emera invests up to five times more per customer per year in infrastructure in North America compared to the Caribbean.
The workshop concluded with calls for thorough analysis of policy choices and transparent evaluation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) benefits. Participants emphasized that while attracting FDI is theoretically beneficial for increasing revenues through licenses and fees, the lack of transparency makes it unclear whether these investments create quality jobs. Additionally, the Caribbean unions were urged to restart the debate on industrial policies, seeing this as one avenue for further research and action.