TUC Urges Government to Halt Tariff Hike and Start Dialogue

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Monday, December 8, 2025, urged the government to suspend the newly announced electricity and water tariff hikes, calling them unfair and contrary to the nation’s social partnership framework.

General Secretary Joshua Ansah addressed a press briefing in Accra, stating that the union expects both the government and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to return to the negotiation table and complete the consultative process before any tariffs are implemented.

“Following our meeting this afternoon, the TUC has resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and mutual respect for our social partnership, we demand the government suspend the announced tariff increases,” Ansah said.

Ansah warned that the proposed hikes could erode the modest nine‑percent wage increase approved for 2026, leaving workers worse off.

He noted that the new tariffs are slated to take effect on 1 January 2026, while the wage rise will only be paid at the end of that month, creating a full month of higher utility costs with no income cushion.

“Implementing higher rates before workers receive their pay rise borders on insensitivity,” he added.

The union said it will fiercely resist any adjustment that threatens the purchasing power of Ghanaian workers and called on the PURC to honour the principles of social partnership that bind labour and the state.

The government has not yet responded to the TUC’s demand. Officials are expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming days, with the possibility of further negotiations before the January 1 deadline.

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