After intense negotiations, the Government and the transport union managed to reach an agreement. The truckers’ strike is lifted and a resolution is modified, agreeing on a two-phase increase for diesel fuel.
News Colombia.
Truckers’ strike halted: after intense negotiations, the Government and transporters reached a new agreement that reduces the expected increase in the price of diesel fuel for the remainder of 2024. Initially, an increase of $1,904 pesos per gallon had been proposed, which unleashed a wave of criticism and mobilizations. However, the recent agreement adjusts the increase to a lower value.
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According to the agreement, the price of diesel fuel will be adjusted to $800 pesos for the remainder of the year. The Government has confirmed that it will not repeal the current decree, but it will agree to modify it.
What does the new agreement look like?
After negotiating during the night of Thursday, September 5, the National Government offered freight transporters an increase of 400 pesos per gallon of diesel fuel at this time, followed by another 400 pesos on December 1 of this year.
The first part of this adjustment will be applied once the official resolution is published.
This phased scheme aims to alleviate the immediate impact on transporters, who had expressed concern about the initial increase.
One of the key points of the agreement is the suspension of any further increase in the price of diesel until structural problems in the sector, such as infrastructure, operating costs and working conditions, are addressed.
The Government warned that this measure will be temporary and will be subject to the progress of the solutions proposed in the negotiation tables.
Although the agreement provides short-term relief, it is anticipated that in 2025 the parties will have to resume negotiations to resolve the pending deficit of $5,200 pesos per gallon, a figure necessary to balance the fuel subsidy according to the Ministry of Finance.
The agreement also includes the convening of new working groups within a maximum period of eight days, where they will discuss how to address the structural problems of the sector and prepare the ground for future increases in a sustainable and balanced manner.
#ATTENTION | Minister of Transport María Constanza García confirmed an agreement with freight transporters to lift the truckers’ strike. The diesel price will increase by 800 pesos, 400 this weekend and another 400 on December 1. @CaracolRadio pic.twitter.com/E16w2VLGLe
— BreakingNewsCaracol (@UltimaHoraCR) September 6, 2024
After four very difficult days for Colombia, the Government and transporters reached an agreement in principle to lift the truckers’ strike. The blockades in Colombia are expected to be lifted on Friday morning.
The details >> https://t.co/ewNZsNeijv pic.twitter.com/wU25AQ55lC
— Caracol News (@NoticiasCaracol) September 6, 2024
