The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has cautioned the government that workers will push back against the newly announced utility tariff adjustments unless the 2026 salary increment is reviewed upward from the earlier agreed 9 per cent.
According to the union, it will not accept what it considers “insensitive” and “punitive” increases in electricity and water tariffs without a corresponding rise in wages to cushion workers. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) on Monday announced a 9.8% increase in electricity tariffs and a 15.9% increase in water tariffs, both set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
That same date is scheduled for the implementation of the government-approved 9 per cent increase in the national minimum wage and base pay for public sector workers.
The TUC argues that the simultaneous introduction of both the tariff hikes and the modest salary adjustment essentially wipes out the limited relief workers anticipated in the new year.
In its statement, the union described the adjustments as a harsh “New Year’s gift” to Ghanaians who continue to grapple with severe economic pressures.
“Workers cannot accept these increases unless the government comes back to the negotiating table to top up the wage increase for 2026,” the statement said.
“Anything short of that, the TUC will mobilise workers to resist the implementation of these insensitive increases in utility prices.”
The union further stressed that the 9 per cent salary increase agreed for 2026 has effectively been nullified by the new tariff increments, adding that many workers will be pushed into deeper hardship as household budgets are already strained by higher food prices, transport fares, and rent.
“This increment has completely eroded the 9 per cent wage adjustment for 2026,” the TUC declared.
“Clearly, government is demonstrating its insensitivity to the daily struggles of workers and Ghanaians.”
The statement recalled similar trends in previous years, noting that in 2025 government approved a 10% wage increase even as electricity tariffs went up cumulatively by more than 18%.
The TUC contends that the latest tariff adjustments further widen the gap between rising living costs and stagnant incomes, worsening the conditions of workers nationwide.
The union likened the government’s action to “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” insisting that authorities have taken back the very wage increase promised to workers.
“In plain language, government has robbed the poor Ghanaian worker of the 9 per cent wage increase it had agreed to implement on January 1, 2026,” it said.
The TUC announced that it will hold a joint press conference with Organised Labour on Monday, 8 December 2025, where it intends to outline actions to oppose what it calls an “obnoxious” tariff increase. The briefing is expected to unveil strategies the labour movement will adopt should the government refuse to reconsider wage negotiations.
With workers expressing growing frustration over rising living costs and shrinking real wages, the standoff signals the possibility of a turbulent start to the new year. The TUC maintains that it will not back down until the government shows a genuine commitment to easing workers’ burdens rather than adding to them.
