Who will cover these exorbitant expenses?

So, top public servants get €500,000 in bonuses to make their overall earnings “more in line with a modern, competitive economy” (Cyprus Mail, May 12, 2009). This, on top of the government largesse earlier this year, when generous handouts were made whether the recipients needed them or not.

In view of the slowdown in the growth of GDP, how is the Finance Minister going to balance the budget without increasing taxes? If it had not been for the firm hand of the Governor of the central bank, we would have been in recession already.

Perhaps the Finance Minister should consider another amnesty: this time for the public servants (including teachers) who have second jobs, the income from which is not declared to the Inland Revenue? Or the thousands of expats who avoid paying income and capital gains taxes both in Cyprus and their home countries?

“The taxman will not find out,” they smugly boast as they swan around in their expensive cars on roads paid for by more honest permanent residents.
And then there are the ‘so many cheats and liars plundering the Social Security Fund’ (Cyprus Mail, March 8, 2009).

D. Chapman,
Limassol