New power tariffs for SMEs higher than originally proposed - GRTU
The GRTU Chamber of Small Enterprises in an angry statement this afternoon said the power tariffs for small businesses, as published by legal notice last week, were actually higher than the tariffs proposed on October 28, which had caused a storm of protest.
"The GRTU is once again appealing to the Cabinet of Ministers to come to its senses over this issue. Economic woes are on our doorstep, but rather than calling for subsidies for SMEs, the GRTU is appealing to the government not to continue to burden and obstruct such enterprises," the Chamber said.
It described the new tariffs as the worst possible Christmas present to businesses, warning that they would cause layoffs and closures.
The new tariffs, the GRTU said, made no sense in a climate of falling oil prices, other than that the government needed to find ways to make up for Enemalta's financial ills.
The GRTU also insisted that the government strategy of having 41,324 small businesses subsidising 531 clients, whose bills would be capped, was not only unfair, but in violation of the EU's Electricity Directive which did not allow such cross subsidisation. The GRTU said it was not against assistance to the large firms, but not at the expense of the smaller ones.
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cassar I
Dec 15th 2008, 21:45
come on relax...sentejn ohra kollox jindara w erba snin ohra kollox jentesa
martin saliba
Dec 15th 2008, 19:12
@Marco Cremona
Probably one of the best comments ever . I'm sure some moron will lable you as a Labour supporter to defend Gonzi PN.
laurence schembri
Dec 15th 2008, 18:25
Ms Maria Falzon
This is a comedy...a tragi-comedy!
Can`t wait for the next lot...the guess is what`s in store for us.
`Iva...flimkien kollox possibli`
Marco Cremona
Dec 15th 2008, 17:33
If it was government's intention to remove subsidies, why is government still insisting that small businesses (and domestic consumers) continue to subsidise the electricity and water consumption of large businesses?
This just doesn't make sense. Especially when it is big businesses that benefit from the economies-of-scale that permit investment in energy-efficiency equipment and water/wastewater recycling ! Small businesses and domestic consumers are limited in the technology in which they can invest to reduce consumption.
A couple of years ago the Malta International Airport issued a tender for the installation of a solar-powered air-conditioning plant..... a wonderful idea. But the project was never realised because MIA was paying a highly subsidised tariff and therefore the payback period of the project was too long. However, if MIA were to pay the full tariff, the payback period for this kind of project would then make sense and the project would be realised. Neverthess, government should assist companies when making such investments.
So, I would suggest the gradual,planned removal of all subsidies, but complemented with schemes that facilitate investment in energy/water efficiency and renewable-energy.
These very basic facts seem to be eluding government and they are moving from one perverse 'solution' to another.
m.psaila
Dec 15th 2008, 16:26
I'm sure this issue will be resolved to the benefit of both sides. I take this occasion to congratulate Vince Farrugia for his Gieh ir-Repubblika Award.
dusty williams
Dec 15th 2008, 16:14
Antoine Grima
Your're fricken right mate!
Anthony Paris
Dec 15th 2008, 15:24
This government is Ignorant of what 2009 holds for us, Incompetent to deal with the mess they got us into, and Insensitive to people's feelings. Other than that they are a jolly bunch of chaps who know how to look after themselves very well and have managed to fool half the people all the time.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Dec 15th 2008, 14:55
.........and this from the Party that always prides itself of being business-friendly, close to the interests of the self-employed and their families. Never have these people felt so cheated and ripped-off from ""their"" government, never have they felt so ignored and used!! Where is Edwin Vassallo?? What does he have to say about this?? Where is the "Segretarjat tas-self-employed tal-PN"?? Does it still exist or is it defunct?? Where is the sensitivity towards families who risked their finances to open a business?? What ever happened to Gonzi's call of the self-employed being the "...mutur ta l-ekonomija"???
I will never stop saying what a sham this government has become and they'd better think twice before knocking on our doors to tell us that the MEP elections are not the time to protest!! We don't take people treating us like garbage so lightly anymore!!!!!!!!!!
Antoine Grima
Dec 15th 2008, 14:52
The government has been caught off guard.Never in a million years did the PN ever think that they would be in for another term and that is why we are in a mess
Anthony Mizzi
Dec 15th 2008, 14:49
Well I do agree but try to say it to Mr. Vince Farrugia,he was awarded with the gieh-ir- republika, last week. Just to remind the GRTU one of this goverment minister what he said a while ago,if the business is not making profit then no problems just close down.
A.Dalli
Dec 15th 2008, 14:46
G.Fenech,
I agree with you, but it's the same funny feeling I also get when purchasing items from local shops, presumably members of the GRTU.
J Casha
Dec 15th 2008, 14:39
It will be interesting to see what the government will utter tomorrow at the National Business Conference. Shame for bringing us to our knees by crippling our businesses and ignoring the voice of the whole population!
maria falzon
Dec 15th 2008, 14:36
how i wish this was just a comedy
J.Borg
Dec 15th 2008, 14:31
What a Christmas this is going to be.........
Maybe PN bloggers will say that this isn't true after the people donated such big sums to both political parties during the weekend.
G. Fenech
Dec 15th 2008, 13:48
The government is simply ripping us off so that they can quietly cover all the debt that enemalta has accumulated over the years. The surcharge is a cover up for corrupt money pocketing. Fuel prices have dropped like a stone, if these prices really reflected the international oil prices, they would have had to drop as well. We are oppressed by our leaders just coz they can get away with it. European citizens my ass!