Johannesburg - The proposed electricity price increase by power utility Eskom will have a negative affect on farming operations, Fawu said on Wednesday.
“We have argued that this proposed massive electricity hike will have a negative impact on the cost structure (not only) for manufacturers, but also for farmers,” the Food and Allied Workers' Union (Fawu) said in a statement.
Farmers found it difficult to contain the increasing prices of energy and fuel, and therefore had no choice but to retrench workers to cut costs, it said.
“We call on the National Energy Regulator of SA not to grant Eskom such a ridiculous request.”
Nersa held public hearings into the proposed tariff increases earlier this month.
Eskom has asked for a 16 percent increase in electricity prices in each of the next five years. - Sapa