The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has raised strong objections to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) announced tariff increases for electricity and water, citing concerns over fairness and timing.
According to the PURC, electricity tariffs are set to rise by a little over 9%, while water tariffs will increase by over 15%, effective January 1, 2026.
These announcements have sparked widespread reactions, with the TUC describing the increases as “not acceptable to workers.”
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah explained that the tariff adjustments undermine prior agreements between government and organized labour on worker salaries for 2026.
“Government and the TUC and organized labor had a meeting on salaries for workers for 2026… the meeting ended by getting 9% increase from 2026, January. Surprisingly, we have been slapped with another increase of 9 plus percent, 15 plus percent for electricity and water, respectively,” he said.
Ansah noted that the union will meet on Monday to determine its official position and pressure the government to reconsider the increases.
“We think that government must come again… anything short of that, the TUC will mobilize workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices,” he added.
He also criticized the PRC’s consultation process, saying, “We have actually requested for details of this consultation… for us to study and know the way forward, that has not been done.”
The TUC emphasized that its focus remains on peaceful negotiations, stating, “We haven’t signed up. But I know that government will be sensitive to those statements and act accordingly. All we want is to develop this country in peace.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
