A record hike in fuel oil prices in Bangladesh on Friday has led truckers to enforce unofficial strikes resulting in severe disruption in goods transportation across the country. On Friday night, the Bangladesh government increased diesel price by 42.5%, kerosene price by 42.5%, petrol by 51.1%, and octane by 51.7% to lower subsidy burden amid ongoing global financial crisis, including faster depletion of foreign currency reserve.
The majority of the truck drivers remain idle since the price hike, as they say, running the wheels will cause financial loss to them unless the fuel oil prices are lowered again or rent is increased officially. Some truck drivers are charging an extra 25% to 30% to meet up the costs arising due to the fuel price hike.
Wazi Ullah, general secretary of Bangladesh Truck Driver Workers Federation, said that at least 20% of truck owners kept their vehicles sitting idle failing to cope with increased fuel oil prices.
Source: container-news.com