In view of this, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb has written to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying that this must stop, otherwise the GWU will have no choice but to do all it can to protect the workers’ purchasing power.

The union also noted that the increase in tariffs had not been announced at any meetings with the social partners before this year’s budget was drawn up.

The GWU concluded that its concern is valid and it was right in claiming that tariffs should not be raised between one budget and another.