Unions want utility rates postponed to January 1

The Prime Minister will meet unions today to make his counterproposals to their nine-point package, which includes a postponement of the new energy bills to January 1.

The proposals, seen by The Times, were submitted to Lawrence Gonzi on Tuesday during a meeting that followed the protest unions had held against the new tariffs last week.

The unions called for an elimination of the rise in meter charges and to push the consumption ceiling from 1,500 to 1,800 units per person per household. They argued that the government should make sure people were not made to shoulder the inefficiencies of Enemalta Corporation, which are valued in conflicting estimates as standing at between €16 million and €27 million.

They also asked the government to leave unchanged the rent on the three-phase electricity system for domestic users and demanded increases in the eco reduction benefit, to apply more of a consumer-pays progression.

On these lines they requested an increase on the eco reduction system from the present 20 to 25 per cent on the first 1,000 units and from 10 to 15 per cent on the second 1,000 units.

The new tariffs were presented as final by Investments Minister Austin Gatt some three weeks ago. However, following intense criticism by all the social partners, the government said it was willing to consider "tweaking" the bills.

The proposals

1. The October 1 introduction pushed forward to January 1, 2009.

2. A revision of the consumption ceiling from 1,500 units to 1,800 units per person per household and 2,000 in the case of people who live alone.

3. Three-phase electricity system for families remains unchanged.

4. No increases in rent for water and electricity meters.

5. A national education campaign on how people can reduce their consumption.

6. Acceptance of the principle that people who waste most pay more and that workers and pensioners cannot continue to shoulder more burdens.

7. Improvement of fiscal incentives for people to reduce their consumption.

8. The eco reduction increased from 20 to 25 per cent on the first 1,000 units and from 10 to 15 per cent on the second 1,000 units.

9. Measures so that the inefficiencies of Enemalta Corporation are not shouldered by the consumers.