The GRTU said today that it still disagreed with the government on the utility tariffs, adding that the system which had apparently found favour with the trade Unions, based on eco reductions or rebates and a higher per capita unit threshold, was not acceptable to it.

“To the GRTU this is not fit to the current economic situation faced by SMEs and Maltese households.

“Households need a direct money injection to help them sustain their traditional level of expenditure which is so important to keep the level of employment in the commerce and services sector.

“Enterprises also need to enjoy a reduction in costs and not an increase in the electricity tariff regime that the government is trying to impose.”

The GRTU said its national council has written to the Prime Minister requesting a redesign of the tariff regime to include an approximate reduction of 25% on the proposed tariffs for 2009.

It also insisted it would not accept any backdating of payments.

“Insistence by the government will leave us with no alternative but to take the issues to the Courts of Law,” the GRTU warned.