Treasury workers propose measures to avoid layoffs

On May 21, 2009, Primera Hora reported that Hacienda Department employees maintained that if the agency had resources to secure collections that are lost, the layoffs proposed by Governor Luis Fortuño could be avoided.

Carmen Miranda, president of the Unión de Trabajadores de Hacienda, said the layoffs “are not justified” and called it “inconceivable” that Fortuño intended to dismiss over 30,000 public employees instead of reinforcing Hacienda; she said that at that point the Executive intended to cut the agency’s budget significantly.

She pointed to at least three underused collection sources: ensuring that all Sales and Use Tax (IVU) charged by merchants reaches Hacienda (she alleged only ~50% was then collected); collecting $1,500 million in taxes that employers withhold from employees and do not remit; and collecting $3,200 million in accumulated delinquent debts.

The Office of Management and Budget had certified the deficit at a little over $3,200 million, while Hacienda reported around $3,800 million in receivables. Union allegation and cited figures ≠ that those amounts were already collected or would suffice to cancel layoffs. Primary: Primera Hora 2009-05-21.

Source: Primera Hora. https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/trabajadores-de-hacienda-proponen-medidas-para-evitar-despidos/