The UHM called for a revision of the utility tariffs, while retaining the eco-reduction scheme, on Wednesday.

The UHM maintains that since the international price of oil has dropped this should be reflected in the water and electricity bills.

The current price of oil is at $35 a barrel.

The union argued that even though Enemalta buys fuel and gas oils and not crude oil, however, the prices generally reflected those of crude oil.

The union insisted that in the light of the drop in the prices of crude oil, the utility tariffs should be revised while safeguarding the eco-reduction scheme.

On January 23, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) filed a court protest against the chairman of the Enemalta, the president of the Malta Resources Authority, and the ministers of resources and infrastructure on Friday over the new utility rates.

The GRTU claims the new utility rates discriminate against the SMEs business and is calling for a revision of the tariffs.

A meeting between the GRTU and the Malta Resources Authority is scheduled for the 2nd of February.