THE Federation of Unions of South Africa yesterday welcomed the ANC's view on Eskom's proposed 45percent tariff hike per annum for the next three years.

THE Federation of Unions of South Africa yesterday welcomed the ANC's view on Eskom's proposed 45percent tariff hike per annum for the next three years.

"We are pleased to know that the ruling party shares our views on the Eskom issue," Fedusa general-secretary Dennis George said.

"We cannot just stand by and watch Eskom make demands on the economy, without it having a negative effect on inflation rates."

The proposed increase would hit the mining, manufacturing and retail sectors hard, George said.

On Sunday, ANC general-secretary Gwede Mantashe expressed concern at the proposed increase.

"We are uncomfortable with the 45percent times three. We are looking at the options.

"We want to come up with a proposal by the end of the month," he said.

Mantashe was speaking at a briefing after a three-day summit of the ruling alliance - the ANC, the SA Communist Party, the Congress of SA Trade Unions and the SA National Civics Organisation.

Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said submissions on the proposed hike had been received from the Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (Salga). The parastatal is required to consult the Treasury and Salga before submitting its application for the increase by the end of November. -Sapa