Parliament accepts bill to end 'period tax'
28 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2018 | ބުދަ 16:32The bill was submitted by Kurendhoo constituency MP Abdul Baaree Abdulla
Sanitary products
Parliament has on Wednesday accepted the bill seeking to repeal the tax on sanitary pads and tampons.
While the bill was submitted by Kurendhoo constituency MP Abdul Baaree Abdulla on Monday, it was accpeted at Wednesday’s sitting with the votes of 65 sitting members. No members had voted against passing the bill and eight had abstained from voting.
The bill is being evaluated by a committee that comprises the entire Parliament.
All members who had debated had been in favor of passing the bill, with some stating that the prices for which they are being sold must also be slashed.
Slashing Goods and Service Tax (GST) on sanitary products is one of the pledges made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his presidential campaign, to be completed within the first week in office and it was also included in the ruling coalition’s manifesto, which vows to cut GST on such essential products.
There is currently a six percent GST on sanitary products.
Back in 2016, over 500 people signed an online petition asking the parliament and the government to repeal the tax. Those that led the campaign emphasized that 'menstruating is not a luxury for women'.
