Rabat – Transport operators in Morocco decided to extend their strike against a spike in fuel prices for two additional days after the government has not responded to their demands.
Moroccan transport operators started their 72-hour long strike on Monday to protest against the rise in fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
“We decided to extend the strike because our demands remained unanswered by the government,” said Said Benazzouz, the General Secretary of the National Union of Transport Professionals, affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT).
The protestors are demanding a cap on fuel prices, which have spiraled recently.
They also demanded determining profit margins for distributors, such as the French group Total, the British-Dutch group Shell, and Afriquia, which is owned by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.
Benazzouz stated that a sixth union has joined the participating unions in the strike, as well as 75% of transport operators.
Not all transport operators participated in the strike, either because they do not agree with the protest measures or cannot afford to protest.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed on Tuesday, March 8 that it had taken all necessary measures to “ensure the free movement of individuals and goods.”
Moulay Ahmed Afilal, president of the General Union of Moroccan Workers stated that the minister of Transportation, Mohamed Abdeljalil promised to “present the fuel prices cap to the government and to respond to us in 10 days.”
The continued rise in fuel prices raises fears among Morocco consumers, especially as Morocco relies on exports to secure its needs of fuels, whose prices were subsidized by the kingdom until 2015.
Since Morocco has lifted the subsidy, professionals and politicians from the opposition have been calling for a cap on fuel prices.
The price of one liter of gasoline in Casablanca reached MAD 13 ($1.33).
In addition to fuel prices, the government has been facing pressure due to the rise in prices of other goods, which has sparked anger and sporadic protests against the rising living costs.
Morocco is also facing a severe drought this year, which is expected to affect the agriculture sector.
Energy prices have witnessed a global rise in recent months.
