The Cargo Truckers Solidarity (CTS), composed of self-employed truck drivers and people working for corporations, mentioned its members throughout the nation commenced the final strike initially of the day to demand an extension of the “Secure Trucking Freight Charges System” designed to forestall harmful driving and assure minimal freight charges for truck drivers.
The secure freight charges system took impact final yr to impose fines on delivery corporations that don’t pay sure cargo truck drivers an ample freight fare however is scheduled to run out subsequent yr because of a three-year sundown clause.
The unionized truck drivers are additionally demanding a full enlargement of the secure freight charges system to cowl all types of vehicles and cargo, a hike in freight expenses, full protection of business accident compensation insurance coverage and safety of fundamental labor rights.
The CTS mentioned its first basic strike since 2016 shall be staged at main seaports and logistics bases, and its members plan to carry a large protest rally in Seoul on Saturday.
“Cargo truck drivers are compelled to drive dangerously, overwork and overload because of a pointy improve in diesel costs and different prices and earnings reductions,” mentioned a CTS official, urging efforts to reinforce street security by guaranteeing a minimal earnings for the truckers.
Business watchers worry a logistic disturbance significantly in container transportation, as a lot of drivers for the nation’s 8,500 container vehicles and 1,500 cement vehicles are affiliated with the CTS.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport mentioned it is going to proceed to hunt talks with the labor group whereas implementing emergency transportation countermeasures to attenuate injury.
Ministry officers mentioned the strike is anticipated to have a restricted impression on logistics as simply 5 % of the nation’s business freight vehicles, or 22,000 autos, are members of the union. (Yonhap)
