And the man they will target is Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

The demonstration is being organised by the Bermuda Industrial Union.

The Hospital Levy rise was announced during his February Budget speech by Dr.

Saul.

Dr. Saul said bosses could collect from workers the full one percent increase.

Or, they could split it evenly between themselves and employees.

BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons said a petition had been raised with more than 3,000 signatures.

It would be handed to Dr. Saul when MPs return on May 6 to the House of Assembly.

"People are very upset by the increase, and want the law repealed,'' stated Mr. Simmons.

He added workers would be hit hard by the one percent rise.

Last month it emerged the whole increase would be passed on to workers at Bermuda Hotel Association properties.

BHA president Mr. Stephen Barker said hotels had no choice.

"We, like other businesses in Bermuda, have always passed on to our employees the maximum permissible by law and we have no choice but to continue this policy.'' Mr. Barker said the hotel industry was already striving for relief from heavy costs.

It would not be "prudent'' for hotels to absorb this "extra burden''.

But Mr. Simmons reacted with anger to the BHA decision.

"It is unfair for the working class to be placed with such a burden.'' He has urged as many people as possible to sign the petition -- and join next month's demonstration.

The petition describes the one percent hike as a form of income tax.

It adds: "We have just paid for the recession through short work weeks, lay-offs, redundancies and in many cases total unemployment.

"To now place such a burden on the working class is unfair, unjust and certainly unnecessary.'' Mr. Simmons called for company profits to be taxed -- not wages.

He urged Government to look at untaxed money like "shares, dividends and directors' fees''.

Managing Director of Pink Beach Club Mr. W. A. (Toppy) Cowen is also critical of Government.

In a memo to his staff, he said the Levy would be shared evenly between the club and employees.

Opposition and Independent Senators have attacked the move as well.

Progressive Labour Party Senate leader Milton Scott called it "the workers' burden''. And he warned that when workers start contract and wage negotiations this year "the one percent Hospital Levy increase will already be on the table.''