Isme calls for social welfare amnesty to tackle ‘nixer’ culture

Isme has called for a tax and social welfare amnesty for businesses and individuals operating in the “black”, or hidden, economy, in order to give them an incentive to legitimise their earnings status.

Addressing the joint Oireachtas committee on jobs, enterprise, and innovation yesterday, Isme chief executive Mark Fielding warned of a “rampant nixer culture” and a definite shift towards a cash-only shadow economy.

He called on the Government to allow people who are working in this manner and avoiding paying income tax as a result, and who are unfairly receiving social welfare benefits, to come forward and legalise their earnings status without the fear of penalty.