New tariffs are 'unacceptable' - GRTU

The GRTU said today that the new utility tariffs were 'unacceptable' because of the burdens they would impose on businesses.

Vince Farrugia, Director-General of the Chamber, said the small businesses would see their electricity costs shoot up by 48.7 per cent while the cost of water would increase by between 16 and 25 per cent per annum.

"The government has got it totally wrong, mostly because there was absolutely no consultation," Mr Farrugia said.

"The 2010 Budget has been revisited even before the country started to implement it."

He said the GRTU had no confidence in the board of the Malta Resources Authority and it should either explain its decisions, or resign. The same, he said, applied to Enemalta's oil Procurement Committee.

Mr Farrugia said these high tariffs, announced a week ago today, would force many businesses to shed workers, or even close their doors.

It was estimated, he said, that 42,000 business users would have to fork out an extra € 36.35 million next year, despite the tough economic climate.

The tariffs for both businesses and residential users were now the highest in Europe, Mr Farrugia said.

Such a situation, he reiterated, was absolutely unacceptable.