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Date Published: 25/03/2022

ARCHIVED - Spanish government reaches agreement with truckers but strike continues

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Striking transport companies in Spain have rejected the Government’s offer of a substantial reduction in fuel prices

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spanish government reaches agreement with truckers but strike continues

After a marathon 12-hour meeting on Thursday March 24 between the Spanish Government and the National Committee for Road Transport, an agreement was finally reached in the early hours of the morning to offer striking truckers a reduction of 20 cent per litre on fuel until June 30 in an effort to alleviate the impact of rising diesel and petrol costs.

However, as has come to be expected at this point, the deal was roundly rejected by the Platform for the Defence of the National and International Road Freight Transport Sector, the body which initially called the strike, who insist that the work stoppage and mass protests will continue until the Government agrees to meet with them.

Government delegates have thus far flatly refused to meet with the Platform, claiming that they are not valid interlocutors in the discussion.

Earlier this week, the group dismissed the Ministry of Transport’s offer of a 500 million euro diesel discount deal as “a joke.”

Despite the fact that the Minister of Economic Affairs has assured truckers that Spain is committed to “finding an adequate response to the difficult situation,” thousands of drivers from different sectors were already turning out in Madrid early on Friday morning, March 25, to demonstrate in front of the Ministry.

Madrid se llena de manifestantes#HuelgaTransporte pic.twitter.com/tc8saRhGPW
— SocialDrive (@SocialDrive_es) March 25, 2022

The Government has estimated that the new agreement, which will allocate more than 1,050 million euros to the dispute, will save transport companies about 700 euros per truck per month.

In addition, another 450 million euros will also be granted in direct aid to both the freight and passenger transport sectors from public budgets: the amount will be 1,250 euros per truck, 950 per bus, 500 per van and 300 per light vehicle (taxis, VTC and ambulances). However, a maximum limit of 400,000 euros per company has been implemented.

The agreement includes extending the maturities of ICO loans to the sector and doubling the budget for aid for abandonment of the carrier profession (from 10 to 20 million euros). The Government will also submit a draft bill before the end of July that aims to prevent companies having to operate at a price below cost.

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Image: Social Drive

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