As we stand on the cusp of a historic moment, the final negotiations of the content in the new UN Tax Convention, happening later this month, offers a pivotal opportunity to reshape global economic structures in favour of fairness and wellbeing for the majority. The discussion about new global tax rules is a chance to build a world where economic justice and wellbeing are at the forefront of global policy.
Coming from a rural part of South Africa, Lehurutshe, near the border of Botswana and growing up in a household where both my parents were teachers earning a humble salary, I saw firsthand the sacrifices of my parents and the struggles of my community to provide their children with the basics. The students at the schools that my parents taught at, had even less, while billionaires fly their private jets from city to city, evading taxes that they should rightfully be paying!
Governments must get their priorities straight – taxing the average person while multinationals and the ultra-rich get away with not paying their fair share is not the solution for governments to make their money. It undermines the backbone of a nation, perpetuating inequality and hindering the future prospects of the next generation. The recent protests in Kenya highlighted the public’s increasing frustration with unfair tax policies that disproportionately burden those already struggling.
Join us in rewriting the rules for a better, more equitable world. Together, we can ensure that this convention marks the beginning of a new era of economic justice and sustainability.
The rise in inequality
Extreme concentration of power and wealth is a significant challenge of our time. Each year, an increasing share of global wealth ends up in the hands of a few, exacerbating economic and political inequalities, undermining democracies, and limiting access to basic services. Recent statistics show that global public debt has reached a record $97 trillion. This means that 3,3 billion people, more than 40% of the world’s population, live in countries where their governments are forced to spend more on public debt interest payments than basic services like education or healthcare. It doesn’t have to be this way!
Opportunity to change the unfair global tax structure
The current global tax structure, dominated by a small group of wealthy countries and powerful multinational corporations, allows for the exploitation of resources and tax evasion. This year, with the UN Tax Convention, we have a historic opportunity to fix the unfair global tax rules by transferring decision-making power from a few rich OECD (The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries to all the member states of the UN, where EVERY COUNTRY HAS A VOTE.
This can help reclaim the US$480 billion dollars lost due to tax abuse every year and we can use it to build a future where everyone enjoys access to essential services and ensure our planet is protected for future generations. Taxing the super-rich and the mega polluters, rather than the poor, aligns with environmental justice principles and ensures those responsible for environmental damage bear the greatest responsibility.
Let’s work together to bring the majority’s wellbeing to the forefront of global policy. It’s time to dismantle old colonial structures and build a fairer future for all. I urge you to take a stance today and support taxing those who can afford it and deserve to be held accountable for the pollution and other atrocities they perpetuate in our world.
Help make this happen – TAX POLLUTERS AND THE ULTRA RICH!
Amrita Ranjit, Social Media Specialist at Greenpeace Africa