The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has launched a fierce attack on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the government following the announcement of fresh increases in electricity and water tariffs, describing the move as “insensitive,” “obnoxious,” and a direct assault on already-burdened Ghanaian workers.
In a statement signed by Secretary-General Joshua Ansah on Thursday, 3 December 2025, the union said it was “outraged” by the PURC’s decision to raise electricity tariffs by 9.8% and water tariffs by 15.9%, effective January 1, 2026 — the same day the government is expected to implement what the TUC calls a “paltry” 9% minimum wage adjustment.
According to the TUC, the timing and scale of the tariff hikes amount to a deliberate erasure of the wage gains negotiated for workers in 2026.
The labour union minced no words, accusing the government of undermining its own commitments.
“This increment has completely eroded the 9% wage adjustment for 2026,” the statement said. “Clearly, government is demonstrating its insensitivity to the daily struggles of workers and Ghanaians.”
The TUC added that what government has done is “worse than robbing Peter to pay Paul,” arguing that workers have been effectively stripped of the only negotiated relief meant to cushion them in 2026.
“In plain language, government has robbed the poor Ghanaian worker,” the statement said.
The TUC recounted that in 2025, the government awarded workers a 10% wage increase, yet electricity tariffs rose cumulatively by more than 18% within the same period. According to the union, workers had expected at least a freeze on further increments, given the already “punishing” cost of living.
Instead, it says, the government “sprang a surprise” with new tariff adjustments that wipe out the anticipated wage improvements for next year.
The TUC signalled that it would not accept the new tariffs unless government returns to the negotiating table to “top up” the 2026 wage increase to offset the impact of the utility hikes.
“Workers cannot accept these increases unless government comes back to the negotiating table,” the union warned.
It added that if government fails to review its position, the TUC will “mobilise workers to resist” the implementation of the increases, setting the stage for what may become a nationwide labour confrontation.
The labour federation announced that it will hold a press conference on Monday, 8 December 2025, in partnership with Organised Labour, to outline a series of measures to challenge what it terms an “obnoxious” tariff increment.
“We will outline measures to address this obnoxious tariff increase,” the statement concluded.
Source: theheraldghana.com
