(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, MAY 30 - The leitmotiv of the documents
that accompany the European Commission's recommendations to
Italy, Spain and Portugal is reducing the tax burden on labour
cost.
According to Brussels, the consolidation of the Spanish
budget, considered to be ''crucial'', should include an
improvement of the efficiency of the tax system, shifting part
of the taxes on labour to taxes on consumption and the
environment. Spain has to get its public finances in order,
''stop the rapid increase of its debt'' and reaching its budget
targets is considered to be ''indispensible''. The challenge for
Italy is described as its ''high public debt'' and ''continuing
lack of growth''. According to the European Commission, Italy
should spend its money more efficiently to re-launch development
and the Italian government should move the tax burden ''away
from production'', improve governance and enforce respect for
tax regulations.
In the eyes of Brussels, the Italian system is still characterised by ''high tax evasion'', while the costs of its administration are still ''among the highest in the EU.'' Portugal has made ''good progress'' overall, ''but is still facing important challenges.'' Reaching its budget targets is crucial according to Brussels and to limit the risk of going over budget in 2012 Portugal's implementation of the structural budget measures that are part of the aid programme is ''essential''. Lisbon must ''rapidly'' carry out reforms in the field of labour and production, reducing the cost of labour, increasing flexibility and making it easier to get work. The first revision of the aid programme is scheduled by the end of May. If the assessment is positive, Portugal will receive its next payment of 2.6 billion euros. (ANSAmed).
In the eyes of Brussels, the Italian system is still characterised by ''high tax evasion'', while the costs of its administration are still ''among the highest in the EU.'' Portugal has made ''good progress'' overall, ''but is still facing important challenges.'' Reaching its budget targets is crucial according to Brussels and to limit the risk of going over budget in 2012 Portugal's implementation of the structural budget measures that are part of the aid programme is ''essential''. Lisbon must ''rapidly'' carry out reforms in the field of labour and production, reducing the cost of labour, increasing flexibility and making it easier to get work. The first revision of the aid programme is scheduled by the end of May. If the assessment is positive, Portugal will receive its next payment of 2.6 billion euros. (ANSAmed).
