Truck owners suspend strike until June 12

AMMAN — Truck owners on Sunday suspended a strike they were scheduled to start this week in a step aimed at giving the recently appointed government ample time to meet their demands. 

Mohammad Dawood, the president of the Jordan Truck Owners Association, who made the announcement, said the strike will be suspended until June 12 to give the government the chance to look into recent decisions related to the sector.

"They were unjust," Dawood said. 

The reason for the strike is that oil derivatives' transport and distribution has become monopolised by three marketing companies, under a concession agreement reached by these companies with the previous government, he explained.

Earlier this year, the Cabinet allowed three main fuel distribution companies operating in the Kingdom — Manaseer Oil & Gas, Total Jordan and Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company — to import diesel and to sell directly to consumers. 

The decision was taken after the three companies signed a memorandum of understanding with the Energy Ministry and as part of licences granted to these firms in a step towards liberating the fuel market. 

Truck owners are also demanding that the minimum pay they receive for carrying goods be increased. 

The pay is set by the Land Transport Regulatory Commission, Dawood said, noting that the "current pay does not cover operational costs".