The Trades Union Congress says its agitations for a reduction in utility tariffs will not end anytime soon because government only partially met organised labour's demands by reducing electricity tariffs by 25 per cent.

The TUC argues government without any explanation has decided to leave water tariffs which were recently increased by 52% untouched.

The workers' group says it will continue to pressurise government and other stakeholders to reduce the water tariffs which it maintains are unrealistic.

Government bowed to sustained pressure from organised labour and announced it would be absorbing 25%  of a 78.9% increase in electricity tariffs.

In a statement issued Sunday, November 10, 2013, government said it took the decision based on the recommendations of a Technical Working Group set up to by the Vice-President, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, to assess the impact of the new tariffs. 

The statement said the reduction takes a retrospective effect from October 1.

In return, the TUC has called off an intended 18 November nationwide demonstration.

The TUC had threatened to cripple government business after it rolled out plans to hold a nationwide demonstration in protest against the adjustments announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

It wanted tariffs to be slashed to a third (43.6%) of a combined electricity and water tariff adjustment of about 130% and the remainder staggered over a two year period.

The Secretary-General of the TUC speaking to Joy News after the announcement said "we would have loved a reduction more than 25%".

In view of this development, TUC Secretary General, Kofi Asamoah said "we are going to shift our attention to water to find out what it means and what exactly should be done to it in terms of a reduction."

The Public Untilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), had maintained that the demands of organised labour for a reduction in the utility tariffs could not be met.

Public Affairs Director at the PURC, Nana Yaa Jeantuah, said the increases had been properly considered and that reducing the tariffs would have serious implications for the delivery of services by the utility companies.

Deputy Information Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, expressed similar sentiments, arguing it would cost government huge amounts of money if the utility tariffs were to be reduced.

Government appears to have gone back on those arguments and announced a 20 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs.