The United Progressive Party has called for a protest against the 2% increase in the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax.

The protest is scheduled to be held outside the Parliament building at 8 am.

The UPP has urged the residents to join the protest and show their disapproval of the tax, which will see the ABST rate increase from 15 to 17%.

The protest coincides with the national budget speech by Finance Minister and Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

The government has stated that the 2% increase is not expected to have a significant impact on the cost of basic food items as many of them are zero-rated. The ABST is a value-added tax imposed on the price of goods and services sold.

The list of zero-rated items includes flour, rice, chicken, vegetables, vitamin C and multivitamins, baby formula, and sanitary napkins and tampons. However, items such as ramen, coffee, snacks like potato chips, school supplies, and school uniforms are not zero-rated.

In September, the Prime Minister announced a 14% increase in workers’ salaries in the public sector.

The Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax was introduced in January 2007 by the Inland Revenue Department.