Pacific

New Caledonia call for steps to cut cost of living

14:34 pm on 17 October 2012

A New Caledonian union umbrella group has called for urgent economic reforms, decrying the local politicians' lack of action to the tackle the high cost of living.

The group's leader, Didier Guenant-Jeanson, says there are plenty of reports about the causes of New Caledonia's high cost of living.

Mr Guenant-Jeanson says if nothing happens by next month, the group will turn to the public directly.

Accords have been signed to tackle the issue after finding that there is a lack of competition, excessive margins and a distorted tax system, but political differences have stood in the way of implementing any measures.

The umbrella group was formed last year and New Caledonia saw unprecedented territory-wide protests against the cost of living, which is among the highest in the world.