Sekondi-Takoradi workers oppose high utility tariffs

Takoradi, June 11, GNA - Members of the Sekondi-Takoradi District Council of Labour (STDCL) have added their voice to the call on the government to impress on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to reduce the increase in electricity and water tariffs in order to meet the pocket of the ordinary Ghanaian.

Describing the increment as a killer, the workers at their emergency meeting to deliberate on the high tariffs in Takoradi on Thursday said the 89 and 46 percent increments in electricity and water respectively were not commensurate with the 10 percent increase in workers' salaries. They expressed surprise that while the 10 percent salary increment announced by the government had not reflected in their pockets, the high utility tariffs was to take immediate effect.

Majority of the workers noted that the leadership of the Trades Union Congress of Ghana (TUC) had been very considerate to issues affecting workers as against the TUC in the past who took quick decisions including nationwide strike action.

They appealed to the government to compel all government establishments to use pre-paid meters and government should also settle all arrears owed the Electricity Company of Ghana.