The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Government of Ghana to immediately suspend the implementation of the recently announced utility tariff increases, warning that failure to take swift action could trigger strong push-back from organised labour across the country.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on December 8, Secretary-General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, described the tariff adjustments as unjust, unacceptable, and insensitive to the economic struggles of Ghanaian workers.
Last week, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced new tariff rates, including a 9.8 percent increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.9 percent hike in water tariffs, set to take effect at the start of 2026. The announcement has sparked outrage among labour unions and workers already burdened by the rising cost of living.
Mr. Ansah criticised the PURC’s decision, insisting that such tariff increments cannot be justified when workers are already struggling to survive on stagnant wages.
“In a spirit of fairness and mutual respect for our social partnership, we demand that government suspends the announced tariff increases. Government and the PURC should, as a matter of priority, immediately engage as agreed to exhaust the consultative process,” he stated.
He further warned that organised labour is prepared to “respond firmly” if government proceeds to implement the hikes without proper consultation.
TUC Says Tariff Hikes Will Wipe Out Workers’ Wage Gains
The TUC argues that the new tariffs would erode the meagre 9 percent base pay increase recently announced by government for 2026. According to Mr. Ansah, the wage adjustment is inadequate, poorly timed, and fails to reflect current economic realities.
“Why should workers pay for a new tariff increment come January 1, 2026, when their meagre 9 percent pay adjustment will be paid at the end of January? This obviously borders on insensitivity,” he stressed.
He called on government to return to the negotiation table to review and increase the 2026 wage adjustment, saying anything less would worsen the plight of Ghanaian workers.
Organised Labour Poised for Action
The TUC assured workers across the country that it stands ready to resist any policy decision that undermines their welfare. Mr. Ansah emphasised that labour unions will not sit by while rising utility costs cancel out the little relief offered by the base pay increase.
The labour union wants government and the PURC to resume engagement with stakeholders and honour the commitments made under previous agreements.
As economic pressures continue to mount, the standoff between government and organised labour could escalate in the coming weeks if a consensus is not reached.
