Unions free to seek clarifications from regulator, PM says

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the government would not object if the unions sought clarifications from the Malta Resources Authority about utility tariffs.

Dr Gonzi made the declaration in a letter yesterday in reply to another letter sent earlier this month by 11 trade unions that asked for clarifications about the new water and electricity tariffs.

On December 10, the unions, which are opposing the new utility rates, had written to Dr Gonzi questioning the number of people benefitting from the eco reduction and insisting that, according to a study commissioned by them, the eco reduction would exclude a substantial number of people, including one-and-two person households, most of whom are pensioners.

In his letter to the unions, the Prime Minister said that, as had been explained in detail in the MCESD, the water and electricity tariffs reflected the expenses made by Enemalta, including the price of fuel.

He said that the price of fuel reflected in the tariffs had been explained in a detailed manner in reply to a parliamentary question, a copy of which was forwarded to the unions during a meeting on November 22.

Dr Gonzi said that one also had to consider the expense involved in the adjustments in the eco reduction, made after the reply was given.

Dr Gonzi further reminded the unions about the revised prices of petrol and diesel, adding that the next tariff revision due would also reflect the changes from the total budget.

He said he understood that the unions agreed that the changes to the tariffs should be approved by the Malta Resources Authority, as the regulator, according to the provisions of Maltese law and EU regulations.

The government believed that it should be the regulator who, in a transparent way, would justify or otherwise any changes in the tariffs, Dr Gonzi said.