Truck drivers end strike after meeting with transport minister

Moroccan trucks drivers agreed on Thursday night to end their strike, which they started last June 16, after a meeting with equipment and transport minister, Karim Ghellab.

The meeting, which lasted for more than 5 hours, looked into the grievances of the drivers and enforcement of a law to liberalize the sector and increase the tonnage of the "8 tons" trucks.

Trade unions representatives were satisfied with the government's adoption Thursday of a decree increasing, without setting a ceiling, the tonnage while taking into account constraints associated with infrastructure and road safety.

The minister announced the inception of a standing committee grouping professionals, representatives of the ministry, truck makers and experts, in order to carry on dialogue and set a ceiling for trucks tonnage. The minister also called professionals to replace the vehicles that are over 20 and 25 years of age and promised "easy loans" for the purchase of new trucks.

Other issues to be addressed by the standing committee are related to the amount of fees paid for the license and for registration in the trade records.