ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: The Grenada Trades’ Union Council GTUC said at a press conference that it notes with alarm and fear the significant increase in the cost of living following the huge increase in gas and other petroleum products on the island. The sixty percent increase in gas price has had a multiplying effect on the pocket of workers and the population in general. Bus prices and foodstuff according to the President of the GTUC Madonna Harford are among goods and services workers have to pay much more for. She said the increase in the cost of living follows a five percent levy - called by the government the "5% Deductible Worker Contribution" - imposed on the workers by the government for reconstruction in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan and Emily. Recognizing the huge increase in cost of living, the GTUC noted that it strongly recommends that Government immediately put on hold the 5% reconstruction levy and speedily engage the social partners in dialogue. The GTUC president stated that considering the magnitude of the devastation the GTUC made several recommendations to the government on raising money for reconstruction. “Many of our workers at the time were not opposed to making a contribution to rebuilding hurricane ravaged Grenada, but based on workers recommendation the GTUC proposed to government that any levy put on workers should be implemented incrementally - one per cent in the first year, two percent in the second and so on”, said the GTUC president. The GTUC General Secretary Rae Roberts told Caribbean Net News that the GTUC recommended that businesses further contribute a half percent on cooperate profits for a period of three years, a two percent tax collected at the port on luxury cars and vans in excess of one hundred thousand dollars and other items for a three year period. In addition the GTUC also asked that tourists contribute two US dollars to rebuild the tourism sites and other centres of recreation. Caribbean Net News understands that the Trades’ Union Movement has not received an acknowledgment from either the Minister of Finance or labour to whom they sent copies of their proposals. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com