The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has sharply criticized the recent decision by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to raise electricity and water tariffs, labeling the hikes as harsh, insensitive, and worse than “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
In a strongly worded statement signed by Secretary General Joshua Ansah, the TUC condemned PURC’s announcement of a 9.8% increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.9% rise in water charges, both set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The union expressed anger that the tariff adjustments coincide with the government’s scheduled 9% hike in the minimum wage and base pay, calling the timing an unfortunate “New Year’s gift” to Ghanaians struggling with rising living costs.
The statement highlighted that in 2025, workers had already seen a 10% wage increase while the government had raised electricity tariffs cumulatively by more than 18%. With the new wage increment standing at 9%, the simultaneous surge in utility bills effectively nullifies any real gains for workers, the TUC argues.
“This increment has completely eroded the 9% wage adjustment for 2026,” the statement said, pointing to the government’s insensitivity toward the daily challenges faced by workers and ordinary citizens.
The union asserted that this action amounts to “robbing the poor Ghanaian worker” of the intended wage benefits.
They stressed, “What Government has done is worse than robbing “Peter to pay Paul”
“In plain language Government has robbed the poor Ghanaian worker of the 9% wage increase it had agreed to implement on January 1, 2026.”
The TUC demanded that the government return to the negotiating table to increase the wage rise to offset the impact of the tariff hikes.
“Workers cannot accept these increases unless government comes back to the
negotiating table to top up the wage increase for 2026.”
The union warned that workers would not accept the increased utility prices unless their demands are met.
“The TUC will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices,”the statement warned.
The Trades Union Congress announced plans to hold a press conference on Monday, December 8, 2025, where it will detail the next steps in responding to what it calls the “obnoxious tariff increase.”
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
