The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) of Trades Union Congress has cautioned that if Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) increases water and electricity tariffs, it would embark on an unprecedented industrial unrest.
“Any industrial unrest in Tema would be the responsibility and liability of PURC should they give the green light for proposed tariffs.”
In a press statement jointly signed by Mr Wilson Agana, Chairman and Mr Ebenezer Kodwo Taylor, Secretary, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, said: “We (workers) cannot afford to take any pesewa increase in utility tariffs in the midst of the hardship workers are going through as a result of the electricity power outages and the irregular flow of the taps.”
It said the TDCL was surprised about the ill timing of the proposed utility tariff increases as Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana Water Company and PURC are perfectly aware that electricity power is virtually non-existent and most of the time erratic thus bringing a lot of economic discomfort and hardship on workers, industries, communities and families.
The statement said irregular water and power supply has compelled employers to shut down industries and laid off workers resulting in tough economic circumstances for most Ghanaian households.
“So ECG, Ghana Water Company and PURC, where is the need and justification of increasing utilities at this crucial time of the economic crisis where jobs are being lost as workers and their families are seriously struggling and battling with the dictates of the electricity power outages?”
<<Print>>