Nationalist MP attacks GWU for ‘unusual’ silence on fuel price hikes

The Opposition's spokesperson for energy, George Pullicino, has published data on fuel prices showing up to 25% price increases in gasoil for heating, since January 2011.

Pullicino, formerly resources minister, claimed that recent increases in fuel prices which have been locked for a period of three months from January to March 2014, went unnoticed thanks to the General Workers Union's silence on the price increases.

The data shows a 13c increase in unleaded fuel since January 2011 to €1.44 (9.9% increase); 15c for diesel, to €1.36 (12.4%); 18c for kerosene, to €1.39 (14.9%); 21c increase to €1.04 for heating oil (25.3%) and a €3.20 increase (20%) for the price of a 12kg gas cylinder, currently retailing at €19.20.

Most of the price increases cited by Pullicino took place under his stewardship of the resources portfolio, which regulates the private sector's sale of energy products.

 "In the past, Labour and the GWU carried out a crusade against the government each time a price increase in fuel was announced. Now the GWU is silent about the increase in prices.

 "In January 2011, the GWU had protested in the streets against the burden of increasing fuel prices and called for an urgent meeting if the MCESD, while Labour accused the Malta Resources Authority of abdicating from its responsibility. This pays witness to the government's hypocrisy and the GWU's 'privileged union' status," Pullicino said.