Government has requested a working group it set up to look into the impact of recent utility tariff hikes to present its preliminary report for mitigation measures to be taken.

In a statement signed by Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga, government says the technical working group was set-up to make appropriate recommendations to government on what measures to take to mitigate the impact of the new tariffs on government's budget, as well as domestic and industrial users of utility services.

Government says it shares the concerns of organised labour that there should be strict adherence to automatic tariff adjustments by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

The PURC-approved 79 percent in electricity tariffs and 52 percent in water tariff took effect from October 1, 2013.

The PURC last week rejected TUC demands for a suspension of the tariffs increases.

But on Tuesday, TUC gave government and the PURC a ten-day ultimatum to reduce the utility tariffs or face a nationwide strike.

Government says it is prepared to dialogue with Organised Labor to avoid a possible nationwide strike over tariff increases.

Deputy Information Minister, Felix Kwakye Fosu, told Joy News government will need time to address the union’s concerns.

Meanwhile, PURC will be addressing a news conference later Wednesday on TUC’s concerns.