Egyptian truckers to continue nationwide strike

[News_Editor]

Egyptian truckers to continue nationwide strike

2010-12-24 09:28:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO, EGYPT (BNO NEWS) -- Egyptian truckers on Thursday denied reports indicating that they ended their nationwide strike and said they will continue until their demands are met, the Daily News Egypt reported.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced indicating that truckers decided to end their 13-day nationwide strike after Egyptian commerce chamber officials accepted to consider their objections over the tax authority.

"The strike in Gharbeya and other governorates is still active, and those who mistakenly quit the strike will resume striking," an anonymous trucker said, as cited by the Daily News Egypt.

On December 10, approximately 100,000 truckers began a strike after the Finance Ministry imposed new taxes that would be retroactive for the last five years as well as new trucking operational procedures.

The new taxes will increase by six times the amount paid each year by truckers. In addition, they would be required to pay the increased taxes for the last five years. Three days later, Finance Minister Youssed Boutros-Ghali said that no amendments were introduced to the income tax law in regards with trucks and truck trailers.

"The drivers do not trust the statements of the ministry," Mohamed Abul-Dahab, a representative of the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services in Gharbeya, said. "The whole situation began once the drivers received letters from the tax authority imposing the new taxes almost double of what they used to pay."

Egyptian truckers are also protesting against a decree that stipulates that trailer trucks must be replaced with tractors by 2012 in order to reduce the number of deadly road accidents. Truckers alleged that trailers are not the cause of such accidents but the roads' poor condition are.

The nationwide strike has significantly impacted the Egyptian industry as cement factories have completely stopped sales and steel industries witnessed a 90 percent drop in its sales. These factors have caused a rise in the price of the two main construction materials.

In addition, the lack of trucks have also negatively affected the transportation and exportation of agricultural products. The prices of vegetables and fruits in the African country have increased as well.

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