TUC wants government to halt tariff adjustments

The Steering Committee of Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged government to stop the implementation of tariff adjustments announced by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC).

The PURC last week announced an increase in electricity tariffs by 78.9 per cent and water by 52 per cent effective October 1.

A statement signed by Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the TUC and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said the adjustments are too high and workers cannot pay.

“The Steering Committee is outraged by the rate of increases as announced by the PURC and it finds a near 80 per cent increase in electricity tariffs and over 50 per cent increase in water to be too high and well above the pocket of the ordinary Ghanaian,” it said.

The statement said, the provision of adequate and affordable energy and water is paramount in the pursuit of national development and it is imperative for government to invest in those critical sectors to ensure its availability before talking about its adjustments.

It said workers are already reeling from harsh economic conditions as government has increased the price of fuel cumulatively over 30 per cent, adding that it is morally wrong for government to award 10 per cent increase in salaries only to impose high utility tariffs.

The statement therefore called for a dialogue on the energy and water situation.

Source: GNA