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.
18 Comments
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lgalea
Dec 1st 2008, 22:44
Can I predict that we shall hear about a few hundred workers being discharged in the coming weeks from a big entity?
R.Calleja
Dec 1st 2008, 16:56
The Prime MInister 'in waiting' Vince Farrugia has spoken. Everyone on his knees to follow his order. He will be taking to Court the government about the utility tariffs. What has the Court to do with the increase? Are we going to do the same when his members increase the price of anything they have in their establishments? Or do we have to lump it? Mr.Farrugia would do better to check on his members who are evading tax left, right and centre - and never giving fiscal receipts. If this had to be collected, e government would be able to increase money in everyone's pockets!!
J Busuttil
Dec 1st 2008, 16:52
Those who are saying "shame on UHM and CMTU" do not know anything about financial and economic matters. YES an irresponsable Government would have let the tariffs as is and BORROW another 50 million Euro to Subsides Enemalta. The GRTU want the Government to borrow the money the nation hasn't got. After all even the GWU agreed with the system increasing every household amount of units to earn the eco-discount. So with the same argumentation it is also "Shame on the GWU"? Let us all be responsable. In the budget the Government is investing 320 million euros in various projects to meet the coming international recession and the UHM and CMTU does not want this sum to be decreased because it is not in the best interests of the workers and their families.
lgalea
Dec 1st 2008, 16:48
Go on GRTU.
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.
J.Borg
Dec 1st 2008, 14:49
@ Keith Davies
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.
M. Storace
Dec 1st 2008, 13:40
@ Keith Davis
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.
J. Mifsud
Dec 1st 2008, 13:25
May I remind UHM that over 10 years ago it demanded approximately 20 euro rise in wages.
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.
J Martinelli
Dec 1st 2008, 13:16
Let the GRTU take the government to court. It will soon find out that the government has the necessary powers to collect what is due (true cost of fuel), set taxes and enact laws. The GRTU has none of these powers. The courts by necessity will find for the government since charging for consumption does not come under any provisions of the Constitution. There is nothing in the Consitution regarding any rights to subsidization for the consuming public.
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.
F J Brincat
Dec 1st 2008, 13:07
Yes I agree, let the tariffs rise. Obviously there are some people who are ready to pay more as long as it is their government in administration. Maybe we will all get a nice letter of gratitude from the government at Christmas.
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?
Mario Bonnici
Dec 1st 2008, 12:54
@Keith Davis
The government has to take decisions and we have to pay.
Adrian
Dec 1st 2008, 12:33
Can somebody tell me whether the business in Malta are declaring their full income/profits ?
V. Micallef
Dec 1st 2008, 12:30
Mr Vince Farrugia's strategy is praiseworthy. This is hoping he will continue to conduct his and his Union's actions regarding the current Government in this way. Mr Farrugia is proving to be one of the strongest elements in the checks and balances dynamism that go to make a country democratic. Other types of attitudes which I should not like to mention go in the opposite direction propping Government in its apparently hell bent rush to dictatorship under another name. Keep it up, Vince! We all depend on you and on your wise strategies.
Byron Camilleri
Dec 1st 2008, 12:20
Dear Angelo Micallef,
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.
Keith Davis
Dec 1st 2008, 11:54
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.
Angelo Micallef
Dec 1st 2008, 11:33
It seems there is no end to GRTU's negative approach and attitude as opposed to the more constructive attitude of UHM, CMTU and for most of the way the GWU!
Byron Camilleri
Dec 1st 2008, 11:12
At least there is someone with no political agenda in this country... Shame on UHM and CMTU!
G.Mangion
Dec 1st 2008, 10:47
@ grtu“,Insistence by the government will leave us with no alternative but to take the issues to the Courts of Law,” the GRTU warned
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.
A. Attard
Dec 1st 2008, 09:06
Well done GRTU you are keeping peoples' interests first! Shame on UHM and CMTU who seem to have other interests besides those of their members.