Be on the look-out for fresh directives - unions

People should be on the look-out for fresh directives in the fight against higher water and electricity bills, General Workers’ Union Tony Zarb said this evening.

Speaking to a rally held at the GWU headquarters by the 11 unions opposing the higher bills, Mr Zarb said that the unions - brought together by the government’s action, were defenders and not the traitors of the workers.

A “little bird”, he said, told the unions that government was planning to reduce the tariffs by 15 per cent in the weeks to come.

“This is not enough. We want real changes not cosmetic ones,” he insisted, reiterating the 11 unions’ call for the regulator’s resignation and asking him not to be a puppet in the hands of who pays his wage.

The rally, attended by some 300 people, was also addressed by MUT president John Bencini who asked who was governing the country in the face of the different figures given out by the government and its agencies.

“The Prime Minister had told us that 73 per cent of families would benefit from the eco-reduction. The regulator told us that 53 per cent would benefit while Enemalta told us that 68 per cent of families would be eligible. You should try your luck with these numbers and play them at lotto maybe you will win and be able to pay the exorbitant bills,” Mr Bencini said.

He recalled the initial meeting held between all the unions and the Prime Minister on November 22 after the unions’ demonstration in Valletta.

Then, all the 20 unions were on one side of the table with the Prime Minister, his deputy and two private secretaries sitting opposite. There was no sign of the regulator.

He then recounted the meeting the 11 unions had with Enemalta’s auditors KPMG.

There, the auditors confirmed that the percentage of families benefitting from the eco-reduction mechanism was worked out on all meters, including those of uninhabited places and garages, he said.

Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses Paul Pace reiterated the call for the tariffs to be revised back to October 1.

Labour MP George Vella and MEP candidates Claudette Abela Baldacchino and Joseph Cuschieri were among the audience.