MLP, GWU unimpressed by reduced surcharge

The Labour Party and the General Workers' Union were not impressed by the downward review of the fuel surcharge, insisting it was still inflated to the detriment of workers.

On Thursday, Investments Minister Austin Gatt announced that the fuel surcharge is to be revised downwards to 47.5 per cent in line with cheaper international oil prices.

But the MLP threw the ball back into the government's court yesterday, accusing it of meddling with its own figures.

The government's decision to revise the surcharge confirmed the MLP's theory that consumers are being unjustly taxed, according to the opposition spokesman for finance, Charles Mangion.

The MLP has produced technical reports which indicate that the surcharge should have been lower than the 47.5 per cent charge, let alone the 55 per cent initially imposed.

Dr Mangion reiterated his party's belief that an independent professional study should be carried out to determine the impact on Enemalta of the oil price increase - a request the government had turned down.

"The government does not want to accept this challenge and the reduction announced is nothing more than an admission of its faulty calculations," Dr Mangion charged.

In a separate statement, the GWU said the revised surcharge would still weigh down workers and pensioners.

Among others, the union challenged the government to bind itself to give compensation where the surcharge is found to have an impact on the weakest in society.