With fuel prices so high, lorry drivers are threatening to go on strike

If the government does not call a meeting with the road haulage associations to address the high cost of diesel, a strike “cannot be ruled out”, but it is a “decision that must be taken collectively with other organisations” and one that “we would like to avoid at all costs”. This was stated by Assotir’s general secretary, Claudio Donati, at a press conference held by the association in Rome. For Donati, a strike would be “a last resort”, because stopping work “even for just one day means bringing the country to a standstill”, and any response – should it be necessary – “must be taken collectively by the entire sector”. The general secretary said he hoped “the government will show a sense of responsibility”, otherwise it “will have to deal with a sector that is already in great difficulty”. According to the national president of Assotir, Anna Vita Manigrasso, “perhaps there is no way of even getting to the point of a strike”. She was referring to the sector’s economic difficulties, because, as Manigrasso says, “hauliers might stop working simply because they can no longer cope”.

Strikes and protests are not the right way to tackle high fuel prices, and all those affected by the rise in prices should join forces to press the government to adopt measures aimed at easing the financial burden on households, businesses and workers. This is the view of Adusbef, commenting on the threat issued today by Assotir. “A general strike by the road haulage sector would only serve to harm the public and the country, without, however, leading to a reduction in diesel prices at the pump or any benefits for the wider community. – explains Adusbef’s president, Antonio Tanza – We sympathise with the sector’s protests, but we believe that strikes and threats are not the right way forward. What is needed, if anything, is a steering committee comprising all parties affected by high fuel prices, aimed at defining a package of realistic and immediately implementable measures to limit the effects of the current emergency”.

“Eni, the leading energy company, has announced a price cap on petroleum products. A commendable decision that is the result of Forza Italia’s policy. ‘If we had listened to the siren calls of the left’ – and also to some ‘pressure’ from within the centre-right – ‘we would have brought in a bit of money, but by taxing businesses, we would have spooked the markets’. This was stated by the centre-right Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. “This process of engagement was pursued by Forza Italia; I regard Eni’s decision as a political victory for Forza Italia.”