Unsatisfied with the Lee Myung-bak administration’s recent measures to offset skyrocketing fuel prices, unionized truckers decided yesterday to call for a nationwide strike.

The union said it will give the government until Thursday to talk with its representatives to come up with effective measures to ease the burden of recent oil price hikes. If no satisfactory solution is found, the truckers will go on a nationwide strike starting Friday, the union said. Over 90 percent of the truckers voted for the strike.

The Lee administration made public Sunday a set of measures to offset high oil prices. Under the new policy, truckers, domestic shippers and bus companies will be compensated with 50 percent of the increase in diesel costs that rises above 1,800 won ($1.74) per liter. The truckers’ union, however, said the measures fell short of its demands. "By setting the benchmark at 1,800 won per liter, we will not be compensated for what we lost this year," Shim Dong-jin, secretary-general of the union, said. "Shipping prices should also be increased. At least an 80 percent increase is needed for a container and more than 30 percent for others."

The government has said the shipping price should be negotiated with the employers and transportation companies. The truckers’ strike, if it takes place, is expected to seriously damage the nation’s economy, experts say.

This article appeared on www.joongangdaily.joins.com

June 11, 2008

0 Comment(s)

Post your comment here

Name (Required)

E-Mail (Required, will not be shown)

Website

* Your comment will be displayed after admin approval.

Please write the answer into the right box: 5 + 71 =