General Workers’ Union secretary general Tony Zarb said that the stable gas cylinder prices secured by the government for the next three months is no doubt a peace of mind for consumers.

This was Mr Zarb’s reply when contacted by this newspaper and asked for his reaction to the increase in fuel and gas prices which started to be applied from 1 January, and when reminded of the union’s participation in a national demonstration held on 14 January, 2011 when the price of a 12 kg gas cylinder was €16, opposed to today which is €19.20, as announced by Enemalta on Wednesday,

Unleaded fuel is now selling for €1.44 opposed to €1.31 in 2011.

Despite admitting that the prices had risen, Mr Zarb’s reply meant that this time around, the GWU would not take to the streets to protest the increase in prices, as it had done under a PN-led government.

“One couldn’t compare the price increase then with today’s; this time around the prices have been locked for three whole months,” Mr Zarb said.

Regarding the fuel prices, Mr Zarb said that this formed part of the Budget 2014 speech and was to be expected.

He said that the increases would be mitigated once the new energy tariffs kick in, a reduction in electricity tariffs of 25% for households, alongside a five per cent cut in the water bills.

During the budget speech, Labour in government once again reiterated that it would reduce the burden of utility tariffs by 25% this year. Businesses are expected to start enjoying the reductions as from 2015.

The government had also previously locked the prices of gas and fuel for the previous three months, between October 1 and December 31.