GRTU urges retailers to challenge tax on plastic bags

Retailers are being encouraged to challenge the announced tax on plastic bags that was supposed to come into effect yesterday.

The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU) said that retailers are not legally obliged to charge extra for plastic bags as the legal notice imposing the new 15c eco tax on each bag has not been issued yet.

The GRTU said it is unacceptable for the authorities to impose any changes on cash registers or point of sales systems. However, it said it will not defend retailers who abuse the system through plastic bags on which eco tax has not been paid or distributing them for free after the appointed date.

"Between now and when the appointed date is established, retailers remain at liberty to either distribute plastic bags for free or, preferably, at a charge so that customers will adopt a more sensible approach," the GRTU said.