The Chamber criticises the government for not setting aside reserves while the economy was doing well. On the other hand, it fully supports the large-scale investments, particularly in the energy transition.
During the press briefing on Wednesday morning, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts spoke out against adjusting the tax tables to inflation. Not only does the Chamber not believe the state has the required leeway, but the most vulnerable households would profit the least. When asked about the idea of only extending the medium-income brackets, the representatives of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts were less reticent. Nonetheless, they believe that more patience is needed due to the current uncertainty. Without tax reform, is there not a risk that people will increasingly press for wage increases? To this question, the chief economist of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts, Norry Dondelinger, replied: “We have pressure on wages anyway, and this is because of the lack of labour.”
Dondelinger also criticised free services for being relatively expensive and encouraging an “all-risk insurance mentality.” However, these services are not free, they are ultimately funded by taxpayers. When asked whether it would not be preferable to replace free services with tax breaks in that case, the chief economist merely nodded.
