On Monday March 14, the Platform for the Defence of Road Transport of Merchandise in Spain called for a strike against soaring fuel prices and inflation, which have recently been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The strike caused a reduction in the availability of trucks, meaning growers have been left unable to transport fresh produce. This has resulted in shortages of fruit and vegetables in supermarkets across Spain. The strike has forced many growers to suspend the shipments in March, which is one of the months with the highest fruit and vegetable export figures.
According to mintecglobal.com¸ the strike was called to protest against high petrol prices, with the aim to gain support from the government to ease financial pressures. Several fruits and vegetables which cannot be transported are accumulating at greenhouses, and are therefore being disposed of.
Carrier strike continues to gain support
The indefinite strike in the transport sector has continued to gain muscle this Tuesday on the ninth day of protests with the adhesion, among others, of the Fenadismer employers’ association, the second most important in the sector and which brings together more than 32,000 companies, which has put industries such as dairy on the ropes, which fears its total stoppage in the next few hours if the conflict is not resolved.
Plainsmenpost.com reports that Minister of Defense Margarita Robles has ensured that the army, as of this Tuesday, will not be responsible for guaranteeing the supply of products due to the strike maintained by carriers. Robles: “The state security forces and bodies are providing adequate protection,” so the intervention is not ‘necessary’.
Spanish businesses weigh furlough schemes
Furlough schemes may need to be introduced if a transport strike that is creating shortages of fresh produce continues, Spanish retail and food industry associations warned on Wednesday, cranking up pressure on the government to find a solution.
Three major transport associations joined the walkout after the government proposed a 500 million euro ($550.45 million) aid package on Monday that drivers quickly dismissed as insufficient to offset soaring diesel prices.
Source: uk.news.yahoo.com