Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, December 8, Dr Kodua described the process as incomplete and disrespectful, revealing that the TUC had been working to establish a fair and realistic tariff structure for its members and that the decision taken by the PURC must be questioned.

He further stressed that the premature announcement of tariffs undermines the collaborative efforts between PURC and TUC, noting that such unilateral decisions could erode trust and compromise future engagement between the regulatory body and organised labour.

“The process and the procedure were not exhaustive. We were as a team trying to come up with a fair, realistic tariff that we could even explain to our members. That process was truncated, and this tariff was announced.

“That is not respectful and not in the best interest of fairness in our partnership with PURC. PURC, in its own wisdom, started engagement processes with TUC, and why they halted and chose to announce these tariffs without exhausting the process must be answered,” he stated.

In response to the announcement, organised labour has called for a suspension of the 9.86% increase in electricity tariffs and the 15.92% hike in water tariffs, scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Labour also pledged to resist any tariff increase that could negate the gains from the planned 2026 wage rise unless the government adjusts the proposed 9% wage increase to offset the additional burden on workers.