Published on Tuesday, 7, October, 2008 at 0:00 in Malta News | No Comments

Social partners should lead battle for equitable energy tariffs – AD

Alternattiva DemokratikaAlternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said it is greatly concerned about the effects of the new rates being proposed by the government for water and electricity and is ready to participate in the battle for reasonable and sustainable energy tariffs.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokatika Chairperson, said, “The tariffs proposed by government are unreasonable and will cause a social and economic upheaval in our country, to the detriment of the average Maltese household and to all Maltese small, medium and large entrepreneurs and industrialists.”

These unreasonable proposals have elicited spontaneous and unanimous condemnation on the part of all the social partners.

Ralph Cassar, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on Energy, Industry and Transport added, “Alternattiva Demokratika have always campaigned for the polluter pays system but these measures are just punishing everybody and were introduced by the government without any assessment/research as to the repercussions and with no consultation whatsoever. The government has created a shock to the economy and practically no one willl be benefitting from the risible eco-reductions proposed.”

Michael Briguglio, AD spokesperson for Social and Economic development added, “AD believes that it is wasteful practices that should be penalised, and not basic consumption. Government should commission a sociological and economic analysis of consumption patterns of individuals, households, companies and other organisations. Following such a scientific study, the national debate on this urgent issue could be based on facts and not simply on rhetoric.”

Arnold Cassola concluded bysaying, “However, this issue should not be politicized because the basic living conditions of the Maltese and Gozitan people are at stake.The social partners, members of the MCESD, should take the lead in unison in this just battle. We Maltese politicians should be prepared to follow the united social partners in this important issue. As for Alternattiva Demokratika, I can vouch that we are ready to support them.”

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