CAIRO: Egyptian Minister of Finance Samir Radwan responded to demands of tax authority employees by issuing bonuses to tax collectors. This will achieve the highest rates of collection in the tax authority's history despite the revolution and the financial crisis gaining 169.7 billion EGP (U.S. $28.5 billion) for the fiscal year of 2010 - 2011 with a 4 percent increase from last year's revenue. The secretary of Women General Union for finance and taxation, Kut el-Kulub Ahmed, said the Minister of Finance promised all tax workers a bonus. Employees have to make extra effort to achieve target revenues in the difficult conditions in Egypt caused by the January 25 Revolution. Ahmed said the General Union ended the demonstrations, which began last week after the response from the minister. The demonstrators will reveal the rest of their demands to improve the work environment and services through community dialogue sessions. Discussions will take place in upcoming days to discuss the problems of taxpayers and tax officials alike. With regard to the concerns raised by the Independent Union of Workers of taxes, Chairman Ahmed Refaat examined files of the members to punish them in response to demands for his resignation. The demand to fire the members was denied by Kut el-Kulub Adel, who stressed these rumors were designed to drive a wedge between employees and the Department Chief. She said the General Union will not allow any infringement upon any of the personnel workers therein.
