Timber Industry Dying Slowly

The Timber and Woodworkers Union has called on the government to waive the seven percent reconstruction levy on timber export proceeds. The Union says the levy and others such as the additional 2.5 percent levy on net proceeds and the three percent levy paid to Forestry Commission on every export shipment is killing the timber industry.

The Ashanti Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the Union, Ben Adu-hene made the call at the last general meeting of the Women's Committee of the union in Kumasi. She said apart from the taxes, the timber industry paid huge royalties to the Forestry Commission.

"Though taxes are meant for the socio-economic development of the country, it should not be at the expense of labour", he said, adding that the industries had started retrenching many workers owing to the numerous taxes and levies they had to pay.

The Industrial Relations Officer stressed that the timber industry plays a major role in the socio-economic development of the country and urged the government to review its policies on the industry to save the workers from retrenchment.

Speaking to the GNA, Mr Adu-hene said a recent visit of the Parliamentary Select-Committee on Lands and Forestry confirmed the decline of the industry as it found out that many were operating under low capacity. He noted apart from the shoe and jute factories, the timber industry employs the bulk of the youth in the metropolis.