Monday, 1st December 2008 - 08:59CET
GRTU says "No" to new tariffs structure
The GRTU said today that it still disagreed with the government on the utility tariffs, adding that the system which had apparently found favour with the trade Unions, based on eco reductions or rebates and a higher per capita unit threshold, was not acceptable to it.
“To the GRTU this is not fit to the current economic situation faced by SMEs and Maltese households.
“Households need a direct money injection to help them sustain their traditional level of expenditure which is so important to keep the level of employment in the commerce and services sector.
“Enterprises also need to enjoy a reduction in costs and not an increase in the electricity tariff regime that the government is trying to impose.”
The GRTU said its national council has written to the Prime Minister requesting a redesign of the tariff regime to include an approximate reduction of 25% on the proposed tariffs for 2009.
It also insisted it would not accept any backdating of payments.
“Insistence by the government will leave us with no alternative but to take the issues to the Courts of Law,” the GRTU warned.
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Comments
Take the Government to the Courts.
Maybe it will not remain so arrogant.
G.Mangion
If you can afford to pay the increased tariffs many Maltese citizens cannot do so.
It seems that you are well off and ready to pay the high tariffs issued by the government.
So when the unions do their utmost to help us common people, not like you i think, to have a better standard of living we say these kind of things.
Who ever said that the government isn't their to make decisions, but agreed with social partners in this case and not steam roll over evryone.
Since the PN is a minority Government, be it the Opposition, Social Partner/Union who have the best interest of the electorate at heart, can call Government to account and prevent it from arrogantly and stubbornly charging ahead.
If you are happy with the utility tarrifs, perhaps you will be kind and generous enough to pay also the bills of us humble mortals.
May I also remind readers that at the time there was a Labour Government.
Let us now jump over to the 2008/2009 scenario: .......... What is the UHM and CMTU demanding from a Nationalist Government?........ANSWER: PEANUTS!!
The people are silently suffering. The middle class is slowly being eroded. There is a limit to everything. Most, if not all European governments are giving money to workers and pensioners in the form of bonuses etc. On the other hand, our government is doing the complete opposite - taking more from our little savings in the form of more taxes, with the excuse of the environment.
This is no time for political alliances. It is the time to make our voices heard. The people are suffering. This will have a ripple effect on businesses etc. Time will tell.
The government has given substantial concessions and any more, it might as well not change anything and continue to subsidize. This is no time for any status quo.
I wonder if some people actually realize that a government-induced cost is, at the end of the day, borne by the consumer and is reflected in the prices of products and services – but I guess that is acceptable as well for some people isn’t it?
The government has to take decisions and we have to pay.
Not being part of the PN fan club does not mean you are being negative. It means that one is doing his job in protecting his members.
I would like to remind the GRTU that the government was elected to govern and not the GRTU! You came with proposals and the government listened.
Now the government needs to take the decisions and not yourselves.
I suggest the GRTU to come forward in the next general elections if they want to be the ones taking decisions, following their own agenda.
What are you waiting for dear g r t u ? go ahead maybe this tariffi thing stops for good !!
And us the common People can live in peace !! Shame on you, for trying to bring instabilty to Malta.