Fuel Transporters Renew Threats Of Strike Action

Petrol tanker drivers have renewed their threats to embark on a strike action if government fails to increase the fare for transporting fuel across the country. The fuel transporters say the 40 percent increase in transport fares is highly inadequate, and are demanding at least a 65 percent increase.

Sources close to the transporters told JOYonline that government?s seeming inaction weeks after their demand for an upward adjustment in the fares is raising some tension among their ranks.

A strike action by the fuel transporters will greatly dislocate the economy, which is driven largely by fuel.

The drivers say they have not enjoyed any increases over the last two years and are facing numerous problems that the 40 percent cannot solve.

Energy ministry and TOR officials are yet to comment on the concerns of the fuel transporters.

But analysts say government and the transporters must meet to resolve any differences quickly to prevent shortage in fuel products across the country.

The country has already witnessed several demonstrations by unionized drivers to protest against the 40 percent increase in fares as against an almost 100 percent increase in fuel prices, as well as increase in insurance premiums, spare parts and cost of living.