GRTU files judicial protest over utility bills

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU filed a judicial protest against the government, Enemalta Corporation and the Malta Resources Authority over the new energy rates.

The GRTU called for a revision of the tariffs imposed on small businesses insisting, as it has been doing for the past months, that they discriminate against them.

The protest calls for the situation to be rectified and holds the authorities responsible for any damages incurred, backdated to last October 1. It warned that further legal action would be taken if this was not done.

The move comes as the regulator, the MRA, faces fresh criticism after a report by audit firm Deloitte pointed out that the data on which the new tariff scheme was based were not verified.

The GRTU has been opposing the tariffs on the basis that they will deliver a blow to the economy at a time when business are struggling with the international financial crisis. However, it has also insisted that the rates discriminate against SMEs given that big businesses are still being subsidised under the new schemes.

Recently, the GRTU directed its members to pay only part of their bills. Members were told to check the number of electricity units they consume and simply multiply the units by €0.13 and pay the equivalent. Anything above that would be contested in court, it said.