Indignation in Tanzania against the tax on wigs and hair extensions

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In Tanzania, the government's decision to impose a tax on wigs and hair extensions has given rise to a dispute.

Many men and women parliamentarians applauded and approved their office when Finance Minister Philip Mpango announced the tax in Parliament.

Proponents of the tax say that it will help women to keep their hair natural.

But there was also a scandal public, women claiming to be punished for wanting to look good in wigs and hair extensions.

Tanzanians tend to defend traditional values, but society is changing and many women are now wearing wigs and extensions, reports Aboubakar Famau, BBC, in the capital, Dodoma.

In his speech to Parliament on Thursday, Mpango announced a 25% tax on imported wigs and hair extensions and 10% on domestically produced ones as part of a series of measures to increase recipes for l & # 39; State.

The cheapest wigs currently cost around $ 4 (£ 3.40), but they can sell up to $ 130.

Mr. Mpango also removed the exemption on value-added tax on sanitary napkins, claiming that consumers had not benefited from it, as companies did not reduce their prices at the time of sale. its introduction.

Opposition MP Upendo Peneza said that she would campaign against the removal of the exemption, adding that the government should push companies to lower their prices.

"People like artificial hair"

The famous importer of wigs Annasatasia Sigera, in Tanzania, has condemned the tax on wigs: "People love artificial hair, why have all taxable things opted for wigs?"

A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC that she was spending $ 450 for her hair extensions.

"It's like they're punishing us because women love hair and we like to look good," she said.

Aristotle Mwamtobe, who runs a popular show in the main city of Dar es Salaam, said the tax could affect relations between citizens.

"The 10% tax [for locally made wigs] and the 25% tax [for imported wigs] is too expensive for our sisters, "he said.

"They could cut their hair, which could lead to divorces because men have the habit of seeing their women with long hair.The women look so beautiful with wigs."

In other measures, Mr. Mpango announced that the tax on chocolates and biscuits would increase from 25% to 35% and that the tax on coolers and other imported equipment that farmers use to store vegetables would be removed. .

The new budget is expected to come into effect next month.