VIDEO: Government presents new tariff proposals, unions, GRTU disappointed

(Adds video comments by the GRTU, MHRA, MEA, UHM, FOI, Chamber of Commerce and the GWU)

The government has agreed to phase out the capping on the power surcharge for large enterprises over three years instead of immediately, the MCESD was told this morning.

The proposed tariffs will also be revised so that revenue will be reduced by €60 million to €305 million. The reduction will be spread over all consumers.

The tariffs were discussed for the second time in as many days this morning between the social partners and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

Representatives of the trade unions said afterwards that they were concerned that this did not constitute proper social dialogue as Dr Gatt had indicated the government would go ahead with the new tariffs even if there was no agreement.

The representative of the GRTU said the new proposals were still completely unacceptable.

He said the chamber was prepared to issue directives to its members to pay for their consumption, but not anything else that went to subsidise big enterprises which enjoyed capping.

(See reactions from the social partners on video)