MUMBAI: The GST Council will consider a request by All India Gem & Jewellery Federation (GJF) to slash the GST on jewellery making charges to 3% from the 18% fixed now. The issue, according to GJF chairman Nitin Khandelwal, could be taken up at the GST Council meet today.While fixing the GST on gold at 3% at its June 3 meeting, the Council said it would meet again on June 11 for a review and possible amendments .An 18% GST on making charges could increase the indirect tax incidence on customers to over 4% from the 3% GST that will become effective from July 1.The other issue discussed at a meeting between GJF and the Council officials on Friday was to waive GST on exchange of old for new gold from a customer, who is an unregistered dealer, said Khandelwal, adding that this request was extended to nil GST on making charges from karigars exempt from GST. A job worker whose annual turnover is below Rs 20 lakh does not have to pay the indirect levy. Most big karigars, however, fall under the GST net. Since the supply of gold to or from unregistered dealers cannot be refunded, the jewellers will ultimately recover these from the customer .Asked whether he thought the rate on labour charges would be slashed to 3%, Khandelwal said he was "hopeful" of the request being considered favourably by the Council as it would increase the burden on the customer from whom this would be recovered eventually. "A composite rate across the value chain is desirable, " said Khandelwal.Sanjeev Agarwal, CEO, Gitanjali Export Corp, earlier said that a lot of middle class and those belonging to the lower economic strata invest their savings in jewellery or gold. Thus, a higher tax burden on them was "undesirable."Gold currently attracts an import duty of 10%, excise of 1% and VAT of 1% by most states barring Kerala, which imposes 5% value added tax, and Maharashtra, which levies 1.2%.