Portuguese lorry drivers threaten mass blockades over rising fuel prices

Source: Xinhua    2018-05-29 00:48:17

LISBON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese lorry drivers began to protest against high fuel prices on Monday, threatening to bring the country to a standstill if the government fails to properly consider their demands.

Haulers are angry that fuel prices in Portugal are among the highest in Europe. Over half the cost is accounted for by taxes and duties after a government hike in 2016.

On Monday morning, the National Association of Portuguese Transporters (ANTP), which represents haulage companies and drivers, met with the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, the government department responsible for transport.

Ministers promised to set up a working group to consider the ANTP's proposals. One such proposal is that a Secretary of State for Transport be established to regulate the sector.

The ANTP also wants the price of fuel to be indexed against transport operational costs, thus bringing it better in line with inflation.

Protests have so far been vocal, but the ANTP told the Lusa Portuguese News Agency it is ready to block motorways "from the north to the south of the country and at the borders" with Spain. It added that the blockade "has a precise start time, but no finish scheduled."

Tactics would include go-slow protests to clog up roads and the parking of lorries all along the hard shoulders of motorways.

The ANTP was formed in 2008 when a similar protest caused petrol stations and Lisbon airport to run out of fuel supplies.

The National Association of Public Road Goods Transportation (ANTRAM) joined the ANTP in Monday's government talks.

ANTRAM's proposals included a tax relief program for professional drivers being implemented for a further two years and with an increased allowance, enabling drivers to claim for more liters per year.

Sabado magazine quoted ANTRAM as saying it would give the government four days to respond before offering "total solidarity with whatever actions the transport companies decide to carry out."

Editor: Mu Xuequan
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Portuguese lorry drivers threaten mass blockades over rising fuel prices

Source: Xinhua 2018-05-29 00:48:17

LISBON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese lorry drivers began to protest against high fuel prices on Monday, threatening to bring the country to a standstill if the government fails to properly consider their demands.

Haulers are angry that fuel prices in Portugal are among the highest in Europe. Over half the cost is accounted for by taxes and duties after a government hike in 2016.

On Monday morning, the National Association of Portuguese Transporters (ANTP), which represents haulage companies and drivers, met with the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, the government department responsible for transport.

Ministers promised to set up a working group to consider the ANTP's proposals. One such proposal is that a Secretary of State for Transport be established to regulate the sector.

The ANTP also wants the price of fuel to be indexed against transport operational costs, thus bringing it better in line with inflation.

Protests have so far been vocal, but the ANTP told the Lusa Portuguese News Agency it is ready to block motorways "from the north to the south of the country and at the borders" with Spain. It added that the blockade "has a precise start time, but no finish scheduled."

Tactics would include go-slow protests to clog up roads and the parking of lorries all along the hard shoulders of motorways.

The ANTP was formed in 2008 when a similar protest caused petrol stations and Lisbon airport to run out of fuel supplies.

The National Association of Public Road Goods Transportation (ANTRAM) joined the ANTP in Monday's government talks.

ANTRAM's proposals included a tax relief program for professional drivers being implemented for a further two years and with an increased allowance, enabling drivers to claim for more liters per year.

Sabado magazine quoted ANTRAM as saying it would give the government four days to respond before offering "total solidarity with whatever actions the transport companies decide to carry out."

[Editor: huaxia]
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