Labour Consultant Urges Dialogue on Utility Tariff Hikes

Labour consultant Austin Gamey on Monday urged the government to convene urgent multi‑sectoral talks to resolve the standoff with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) over the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s 9.8% electricity and 15.9% water tariff hikes.

The utility price increase, announced by the PURC earlier this week, has sparked anger among organised labour, which is demanding a reversal of the new rates.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews, Gamey said the hikes constitute a macro‑economic issue that demands non‑adversarial negotiations rather than confrontation.

“These tariff hikes are a national security concern that cannot be ignored,” Gamey stated. “The government must adopt a proactive approach and call for a national tripartite committee meeting to address the problem.”

Gamey, a veteran labour consultant, emphasised that both the government and utility providers have valid concerns, as do the utility workers who are themselves members of the TUC.

“Our utility workers understand the need for financial stability in their sectors, and they are not oblivious to the fact that these monies ensure stable power for all other workers,” he explained.

He called for a dialogue that seeks a comprehensive solution rather than a winner‑or‑loser outcome, urging the authorities to drop any perception of insensitivity.

The consultant warned that inaction could jeopardise the stability of essential services nationwide, affecting households and businesses alike.

As the debate continues, observers expect the government to schedule a tripartite meeting within the coming days, while the TUC prepares to press for a possible suspension of the new rates.

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