The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has voiced strong opposition to the newly announced 9.8% electricity and 15.9% water tariff increases set to take effect on January 1, 2026, describing the decision as “insensitive” and “obnoxious.”

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Joshua Ansah, the TUC said the timing of the adjustment, coinciding with the implementation of the 9% increase in the national minimum wage and base pay, was unacceptable and amounted to a harsh New Year’s burden on Ghanaian workers.

TUC: Tariff Hike Cancels Out Wage Increase

Labour argues that the new utility rates effectively wipe out the modest salary increments negotiated for workers in 2026.

“This increment has completely eroded the nine per cent wage adjustment for 2026. Clearly, government is demonstrating its insensitivity to the daily struggles of workers and Ghanaians,” the TUC stated.

According to the union, government approved a 10% wage increase this year while electricity tariffs rose cumulatively by more than 18%, deepening the hardship among workers already grappling with rising living costs.

Union Threatens to Mobilise Workers

The TUC insists that it will not accept the new tariff adjustments unless government returns to the negotiation table to increase the wage adjustment for 2026.

“Anything short of that, we will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of the insensitive increases,” the union cautioned.

The labour body maintains that workers had hoped for relief amid economic pressures, not another wave of cost increases.

Press Conference Scheduled for Monday

Organised Labour is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, where it will outline a series of measures aimed at resisting the tariff hikes and pressing for a more favourable wage adjustment.

Growing Discontent Over Cost of Living

The TUC argues that the new utility tariffs underscore government’s disregard for the daily economic challenges confronting workers and households.

With inflation, transport costs, and food prices still weighing heavily on families, the union says the least expected from government was a “surprise increase in utility prices” at a time when wage increments remain far below cost-of-living trends.

The statement signals escalating labour tensions ahead of the January 2026 implementation, with the possibility of nationwide protests if government fails to reconsider the new tariffs.