TUC Bashes “Insensitive” Govt after PURC’s Major Tariffs Increment

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has descended heavily on the government after the announcement of a 9.8% and 15.9% increase in electricity and water major tariffs, respectively.

According to him, the rates are not commensurate with the 9% increase in the minimum wage and the base Pay granted by President John Dramani Mahama.

“The increases are to take effect from January 1, 2026, the very day the paltry 9% increase in the minimum wage and the base Pay by the government will also take effect. This can only be described as the Government’s New Year’s gift to Ghanaians.”

“In 2025, the government granted a wage increase of 10% and increased electricity tariffs cumulatively by more than 18%. As workers bemoan the 9% wage increase for 2026 in the light of the prevailing cost of living, the least they expected was for the government to spring a surprise on them with increases in prices of utilities.”

It noted that this is insensitivity on the part of the government to the daily struggles of workers and Ghanaians.

“In plain language, the Government has robbed the poor Ghanaian worker of the 9% wage increase it had agreed to implement on January 1, 2026.”

It called for a renegotiation of the base pay.

“Workers cannot accept these increases unless the government comes back to the negotiating table to top up the wage increase for 2026. Anything short of that, the TUC will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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