When assessing the way the government acted on the international oil crisis one comes to only one conclusion, that of a totally insensitive government.

The government’s intentions of raising the surcharge tariffs were made public on 15 May when Minister Tonio Fenech was interviewed in an English language newspaper. Although the government kept saying that the surcharge had to go up, there were never any indications on how much the surcharge could possibly be.

The Maltese consumers have been kept in the dark for quite a few weeks with regard to this situation. I believe that the government should keep in mind that a lot of families, due to their restricted income, are constrained to budget their spending now more than ever.

Consumers were not the only ones being ignored by the government, but there were also the social partners. Revising the surcharge tariff from 50 per cent to 95 per cent will certainly leave a negative impact on every one, be it a family or a business. The social partners criticised the government for not consulting them or at least give them some indication so that they would have informed and prepared their members to face such a burden.

The only thing that government had to say in reply to this criticism was that consultation was made back in 2005 when the surcharge was introduced. In my opinion this attitude is showing that the government is not aware of the impact that such a revision in the surcharge is going to leave on the whole country. Although the surcharge formula might not have changed since 2005, a rise from 50 per cent to 95 per cent saying at the least one should consider consultation. The social partners have the right to change their point of view now that the surcharge has reached such limits.

Tonio Fenech was quoted saying that the compensation for inflation which the government gave in this year’s budget was enough. After such a drastic rise in surcharge, in the prices of fuels and in the debit interest rates, I am not quite convinced about Minister Fenech’s declaration.

The Maltese consumers deserve better. We all know that next September will bring a revision on water and electricity tariffs, according to Austin Gatt.

One expects that the government will at least conduct a social and economic impact assessment since it will be affecting not only the consumers but also the business community.

I hope that the government has the intention of consulting the social partners and the opposition since it is through consultation that we can involve everyone into finding a suitable solution.

One expects that the government will act sensibly towards such a decision that will definitely leave an impact on us all.

Silvio Parnis is a Labour Member of Parliament, spokesperson for consumer protection

www.silvioparnis.com