Chamber shuns tariffs protest

The Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry will not be taking part in the protest over the new water and electricity tariffs because it believes the problem should be solved through dialogue.

The Chamber yesterday turned down an invitation by a group of 11 unions organising the protest, the Għaqda Unions Maltin, saying it preferred "different" ways of lobbying for its causes.

In fact, the Chamber is having talks with the government on a number of points, including proposed ways to support or mitigate the negative effects of the tariffs.

Chamber director general Kevin Borg said the way to solve such problems was through constant dialogue.

So far, only the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika have decided to join the protest on February 28 in Valletta.

The Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, which includes the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Medical Association of Malta, has already declared it will not be attending, deeming street protests as causing more harm than good.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association is still undecided.

Mr Borg yesterday pointed out that the utility tariffs caused a burden on the productive sector. "We believe that the tariffs will have an inflationary effect, which would hamper competitiveness and, for employers, comes over and above the unprecedented cost of living adjustment."