Trucker protests have companies on brink of collapse - industry associations

(ANSA) - ROME, 21 OTT - Industrial associations in Campania and Puglia said Wednesday that their member companies were on the brink of collapse due to strikes and protests by truckers over soaring gas prices in southern Italy. "The truckers' dispute requires an immediate response," said the Industrial union of Naples and the other four Campania provinces and the Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani branches of Confindustria in a joint statement. "Production has ground to a halt due to a lack of supplies. "The strike must end; otherwise, the damage to consumers and businesses—which is already significant—will become unsustainable. "The strike is damaging the economies of Campania, Puglia, and the entire South, while also compromising the provision of essential public services. "It is time for all parties involved to demonstrate a sense of responsibility". Protests involving truckers blocking roads or sealing off lanes to slow traffic started in many parts of the country, especially the south, last week, following strikes and sit-ins by farmers and fishers, and have led to empty shelves in supermarkets in many areas. Italian air-traffic-management agency ENAV said Wednesday that Crotone and Reggio Calabria airports have run out of jet fuel due to the supply stoppages. ENAV said "pilots must therefore plan to refuel at the departure airport or a previous airport, in sufficient quantity for subsequent legs". The Sicilian Hauliers' Committee (CTS) said Tuesday that it was calling off the suspension of its activities after Transport Minister Matteo Salvini met road haulage associations in Milan and the government announced 480 million euros in aid was on the way for lorry drivers. But truckers in Calabria and other parts of southern Italy said their protests would continue at least until another meeting scheduled to take place at the transport ministry in Rome on October 27. Gloria Tenuta, the president of the Gias frozen-food company based in Mongrassano, near Cosenza, told ANSA that her firm with 400 workers will halt production on Thursday if the strike continues. She said that would mean 200-300 workers would have to stay at home. On Wednesday 11 associations of trucking companies issued a joint statement calling on Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to intervene to remove the roadblocks. "Continuing to paralyze the country is no longer justifiable now that the government has reopened dialogue with the industry and has made significant commitments in line with the agreement reached at the premier's office to provide immediate liquidity to trucking companies and identify the necessary measures to address the current situation," said the Anita, CNA/FITA, Confartigianato Trasporti, FAI, Fedit, FIAP, SNA Casartigiani, Confcooperative Lavoro e Servizi, Legacoop Produzione e Servizi, UNATRAS, and ASSOTIR associations. (ANSA).
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