Whereas Government has decided to apply a 5 % Levy on the wages and salaries of all workers earning over $1,000.00 per month with effect from January 1 st, 2006; and,

Considering the working class of our country is facing acute economic and social difficulties created by bad economic policies, poor economic management of the national economy characterized by uncontrolled waste and corruption and an unprecedented national debt of over EC$1.7 Billion; and,

Considering also that this debt to GDP ratio is over 125 % - a situation that the IMF and other international multi-lateral financial institutions find alarming; and, being aware that the Government has not been truthful on the extent of the country’s indebtedness; and,

Given that Grenada runs second only to Antigua with respect to high retail prices given the Government’s policy of heavy taxation on the port and its consequential impact on food prices and on other items necessary for living; and,

Being aware that hurricanes Ivan and Emily destroyed thousands of homes of workers and their families, the majority of whom were without insurance; and,

Knowledgeable of the fact that many workers are unable to finance either the restoration or rebuilding of their homes and many continue to live in substandard dwellings unprotected from the elements; and,

Aware also that the State housing and housing repair assistance programme has become highly politicized, badly administered and afflicted with widespread corruption; and, large numbers of working people remain without help; and,

Whereas large numbers of workers remain unemployed and family incomes have been reduced as a result of the unemployment created by Ivan; and,

Concerned that inflation has already increased in excess of 8 % and that the 5 % levy when added to this increase shall impact upon the wages of workers by approximately 15 %; and,

Whereas the Government has openly refused to meaningfully engage the Grenada Trades’ Union Council and other social partners in the reconstruction process and continues to mal-administrate the scarce resources of our country;

Now therefore, this Special Convention of the Grenada Trades’ Union Council meeting at the T A Marryshow Community College, Tanteen in the Parish of St George on this 17 th day of December, 2005 Declares  

 Thus, the aforesaid Convention resolves :-  

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