Truck and taxi drivers Moroccan are observing a three-day strike in protest at spiraling fuel costs, a union said Tuesday, as oil prices spike over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
About three quarters of drivers are observing the strike, Mounir Benazouz of the SNPTR truckers’ union clarified.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that no fewer than four other unions have also joined the action which is expected to end on Wednesday.
‘We are calling on the government to put a ceiling on fuel prices and the profit margins of distributors, because the situation is becoming more and more critical,’ Benazouz said.
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He added that the strike could be extended unless the government responds.
The transport ministry was yet to officially react to the development but sources confirmed that the Ministry would soon take a position.
The government of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has for weeks been facing growing unrest over mounting living costs, with price hikes on fuel and other essential goods sparking demonstrations across the North African kingdom.
Inflation, spurred by rising global commodities prices, topped three percent year-on-year in January, prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moroccan farmers are also suffering the effects of a long drought which has battered a sector that contributes about 14 percent of gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, energy giant Shell on Tuesday revealed that it will withdraw from Russian gas and oil and immediately discontinue purchases of its crude, citing the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The company also apologised for buying a cargo of Russian oil last week, adding that it shouldn’t have happened and would never happen again.
The group also revealed that it has shut its service stations, aviation fuels and lubricants operations in Russia going forward.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
