Teamsters go on strike to protest fuel price hike

Members of the Moroccan federation of road transport decided to go on strike next Monday and Tuesday to protest the government's decision to increase fuel prices.

The federation explained in a statement that the decision to stage the strike was made at a meeting of its federal bureau here Thursday following the latest fuel prices hike that will constitute an additional weight on teamsters.

The federation equally noted that the government has not respected its commitments mainly the pledge --included in the joint communiqué issued on March 7, 2000--to meet teamsters' claims and lower taxes.

The federation which pointed out that the situation of transport enterprises is continuously deteriorating held the government responsible for the negative impact the strike will have on the transport sector and on the country's economy.

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.

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