levy increase, say organisers.

The petition will be presented to the Finance Minister after a march to Parliament next Friday.

The march was announced by Bermuda Industrial Union general secretary Ms Molly Burgess.

She said the protest was against the "one percent increase in the hospital levy imposed on the working class by the Government''.

"We estimate that the petition has collected 4,000 names. In conjunction with other unions and worker organisations, there will be a march from Union Square to the House of Assembly starting at 5.30 p.m.'' Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul announced the levy rise in February's Budget.

He said bosses could pay half of the increase themselves, but allowed them to collect the full one percent from their workers.

The move was slammed as "the worker's burden''.