Teamsters' federations diverge on strike movement to protest fuel price hike
Morocco, Economics, 9/11/2000

The national federation of trade unions of Morocco's teamsters (FNSTRM) on Saturday decided to suspend the strike movement initially scheduled for Tuesday while the National Confederation of Teamsters (CNTR) decided to stage the strike slated for this Monday and Tuesday to protest the government's decision to increase fuel prices.

Federal Chairman of the FNSTRM, Mohamed Azzeddine Berrada, told reporters after a meeting Saturday with Moroccan minister of transport and merchant navy, Abdeslam Znined, that as the government is seriously taking into account the situation of road transport and as "a constructive and responsible dialogue is planned for next week, I think there is no more any reason to stage the strike."

Petroleum products prices were increased by 4.8 to 10.8% as of last Saturday. The government explained the decision was made to cope with the rise in the price of crude oil on the world market.

A joint statement by the FNSTRM and the ministry said the two sides decided to set up a joint commission that will hold meetings with the departments concerned by the sector's grievances and claims, mainly the departments of the interior, equipment, finance and tourism.

The assistant secretary general of the CNTR, Kamal Dissaoui, said the protest movement is maintained for September 11 and 12, for, he explained the fuel price hike is entailing losses for transport companies.

"The ministry of transport proposed the setting up of a joint commission, but we are fed up with these commissions. We maintain the strike movement for September 11 and 12 unless the government meets our claims," he said.

The Moroccan minister of transport and merchant navy recalled in a statement to reporters after the meeting with the two federations that a number of measures had been adopted in favor of the road transport sector, including a number tax cuts.

The decision to increase fuel prices was decried by many trade unions and professional associations, mainly from the agriculture sector, as the increase will adversely impact the purchasing power mainly of the labor classes and the rural world populations.

Previous Stories:
  Teamsters go on strike to protest fuel price hike   (9/8/2000)
  Voices rise against fuel prices hike   (9/5/2000)
  Moroccan union calls government to respect social commitments   (9/5/2000)

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