Fuel price protests

Korean truckers strike, Malaysians protest

Article published on the 2008-06-13 Latest update 2008-06-13 10:05 TU

Police block a protest in Incheon
(Photo: Reuters)

In continuing protests linked to oil price rises around the world, 5,000 South Korean lorry drivers went on strike on Friday. About 2,000 people marched through the Malaysian capital. In Europe, Portugese truckers ended a stoppage, while tanker-drivers in Britain started a strike over wages.

The transport ministry and the lorry drivers' union say that the country's main ports are badly affected by the stoppage. Officials at Busan say that the number of lorries carrying shipping containers in and out of the port is cut to eleven per cent of the normal traffic.

Four steelmakers have had to halt shipments or stop production due to the lack of raw materials.

"It is regrettable that we have no other choice but to strike. What we demand now is based on our rights to survive," the president of the Cargo Transport Workers Union, Kim Dal-Shik, said in a statement.

The strikers want steps to cut energy costs or raise transport fees after a 30 per cent rise in diesel prices this year. They also want a standardised pricing system to ensure a minimum income.

The strike comes despite a government package announced Sunday, which included tax rebates for 12.8 million people for a year, subsidies to low earners and help for the truckers.

The government is deploying riot police at key ports and cargo terminals.

Other protests around the world included:

Malaysia: About 2,000 people joined the largest protest yet at a 41 per cent petrol price rise. Police prevented them marching on Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers after they rallied at a mosque.

The called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign. Today he announced that he will hand over to his deputy at an undisclosed date following recent poor elections results.

India:  Dozens of government employees were arrrested in fuel price protests on Thursday in the disputed state of Kashmir.

Spain and Portugal: After the end of a strike in Portugal following Wednesday's agreement with the government, Spanish truckers were joined by taxi-drivers in a national stoppage.

United Kingdom: Tanker drivers working for Shell started a four-day stoppage over pay.