Private transportation sector employees in Tunisia went on a one-day strike, demanding the updating of transportation tariffs and the implementation of some legal regulations regarding the sector.
Muiz es-Selami, Vice President of the National Transport Federation affiliated with the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Crafts (UTICA), said in a statement to the AA correspondent that the strike was for one day.
Giving information about the reasons for the strike, Selami stated that a written agreement was signed with the authorities on January 22, stipulating that transportation tariffs would be increased at the end of March, but this decision was not implemented later.
Selami stated that the strike, planned to be held on April 27, was postponed after the meeting between UTICA President Samir Meçhul and the officials, upon the commitment that the tariff increase would be realized in June, but this commitment was not fulfilled.
Noting that the sector is facing serious cost increases, Selami said that the price of a vehicle, which was approximately 31 thousand Tunisian dinars (approximately 10 thousand 500 dollars) in 2014, has increased to 65 thousand dinars (approximately 22 thousand dollars) today, and that spare parts prices have quadrupled and the tax burden has become heavier.
Stating that the Minister of Transport accepted the legitimacy of the sector's demand for a tariff increase, Selami said, "The state increases wages in the public and private sectors, but the situation of 55 thousand transporters and approximately 150 thousand people working in our sector is not taken into account." he said.
Stating that they want the authorities to fulfill their previous promises, Selami also stated that they demand the amendment of the Transportation Law No. 33 of 2004 and the regulation No. 581 regarding transportation licenses and the improvement of operating conditions.
Tunisian authorities have not yet made any statement regarding the strike.