[Onthebarricades] Small business protests, Apr-Aug 2008
Andy
ldxar1 at tesco.net
Fri Aug 29 20:59:08 PDT 2008
ON THE BARRICADES: Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/
TAXI DRIVERS
* US, Florida: Taxi drivers protest council "mafia"
* IRELAND: Protests "likely to spread"; Dublin protest
* INDIA, Tamil Nadu: Autorickshaw protest for streamlining
* JAMAICA: Taxi drivers protest fees, roads; bus strike
* BANGLADESH: Taxi protest over fee increase
* AUSTRALIA: "Man-boob mayhem" as ethnic Asian taxi drivers protest
assaults
* US, Oregon: Taxi drivers honk horns over license plan
* SOUTH AFRICA: Taxi drivers "rob motorists" during shutdown, march;
Gauteng demo peaceful
* LESOTHO: Taxi drivers blockade road over shooting
* US, Port Chester: Taxi strike over licenses
* UGANDA: Taxi drivers protest "illegal" fees
* UAE, Abu Dhabi: Taxi drivers protest "salary cuts", fines
* US, Arizona: Limo drivers protest at fees, not breaking even
* US, Tennessee: Taxi drivers stage "sick-out"
* BULGARIA: Taxi strike strands tourists
* INDIA, Andhra Pradesh: Taxi drivers protest VAT
TRADERS
* INDIA, New Delhi: Traders protest against government apathy
* INDIA, Andhra Pradesh: Protest over withdrawal of kiosks
* INDIA, Karnataka: Vegetable merchants protest
* INDIA, Rajghat: Traders ask Gandhi statue for help
* AUSTRALIA: Shopkeepers disrupt traffic over clearway plan
* PAKISTAN: Protests about reduced services
* INDIA, New Delhi: Traders protest "insulting remarks"
* PHILIPPINES: Protest at church-run mall over fee increase
* INDIA, Kerala: Jewellers strike over tax raids
* AUSTRALIA: Town centre business owners protest rate increases, disrupt
council meeting
* MOLDOVA: Meat traders march to defend "patent" system
* EGYPT: Tourist shopkeepers on hunger strike, demand extra tour stop
FISHERFOLK
* PAKISTAN: Fisherfolk protest government policies, inflation
* INDIA, Kerala: Fisherfolk protest quota cut, corruption
* INDIA, Tamil Nadu: Fisherfolk protest industrialisation of coast
* PHILIPPINES: Fisherfolk protest at capsized vessel
* IRELAND: Cork meeting faces protest over unregulated products
* CANADA, Nova Scotia: Lobster fisherfolk protest scallop draggers; crab
blockade ends
TRUCKERS
* ARGENTINA: Truck drivers protest lack of opportunities
* BOLVIIA: Truckers protest tax change
* POLAND: Truckers strike over tolls
* TURKEY/BULGARIA: Turkish drivers blockade border over crossing fees
* AUSTRALIA: Agenda clash at truckers; protest; license issue targeted
* MALAYSIA: Drivers protest lorry seizures
VARIOUS SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS
* BULGARIA: Sofia blockade by driving instructors over regulations
* VIETNAM: Motorcycle couriers protest ban
* FIJI: Water bottlers strike over export duty
* INDIA, Andhra Pradesh: Barbers strike over attack by Hindu right-wingers
* BAHAMAS: Angry bus drivers scared off protest by threats
* INDIA, Kerala: Travel agents strike, protest over airline commissions
* INDIA, Karnataka: Artist stages dress-up protest over problems
* INDIA, Kerala: Cooperatives stage protest for aid
* INDIA, Tamil Nadu: Doctors, laeyers protest
* PAKISTAN: Investors ransack stock exchanges, block roads, burn tyres
over market collapse
* HOLLAND: Airline workers protest against green tax
http://www.local6.com/news/16618223/detail.html?rss=orlpn&psp=news
Cabbie Protest Ignites, Man Arrested
POSTED: 10:22 am EDT June 16, 2008
UPDATED: 1:13 pm EDT June 16, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Cab drivers and several police officers were involved in a
heated face to face standoff Monday when tempers ignited during a protest
over a city taxi ordinance.
The group of taxi cab drivers protested outside City Hall, claiming the
city's contract with Mears Transportation gives the company a virtual
monopoly at Orlando International Airport.
"Orlando is a city of mafia," some cab drivers yelled during the protest.
The protest was peaceful until Orlando police arrested a cab driver after he
protested getting a ticket. The arrest sparked anger among some cabbies.
"We can't feed our families," cab driver Ronald Adrien said. "We can't put
food on the table for our families because we have a lot of problems. We
can't pay our bills. Right now, we are in a bad situation."
City officials defended the Mears contract, saying it helps ensure quality,
uniformed service for customers.
A Mears spokesman said the idea that there is a monopoly with the company is
not true. He said there are many cab companies licensed through the city and
county and that drivers have the right to drive for another company, Local
6's Todd Jurkowski said.
http://www.wftv.com/news/16032638/detail.html
Protesting Taxi Drivers Ticketed By Orlando Police
POSTED: 11:58 am EDT April 28, 2008
UPDATED: 12:40 pm EDT April 28, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Some local taxi drivers paid a price Monday for a protest
at Orlando City Hall. More than 100 local cab drivers showed up at City Hall
Monday morning to demand changes to the taxi industry. Instead, some of them
got big tickets from Orlando police for disrupting traffic.
The drivers trailed each other to City Hall. They were driving in the far
right lane of Orange Avenue and cut across two lanes of traffic to get into
the City Hall parking lot. Orlando police were waiting to issue tickets for
$118.
In the middle of rush hour traffic, Orlando cabbies drove about two miles an
hour on Orange Avenue to protest against Mears, the largest transportation
company in the city. But before they even made it to the plaza in front of
City Hall to picket, Orlando police officers issued tickets to some of the
drivers for disrupting traffic. Besides going too slowly, some cut off other
drivers who were caught off guard by the traffic jam.
"If you want to make a left turn, you have to be in the left lane. You can't
stop in the middle of the road and stop all the traffic and endanger people
coming down the road and yourself," said Officer J. Baxter, Orlando Police
Department.
The drivers said they were targeted because they're fighting a battle
against Mears, which owns most of the major cab companies in town.
"It's harassment. It was intentional. They did it to make these guys feel
discouraged," said taxi driver Tim Adams.
The drivers told Eyewitness News they're forced to lease their taxis from
Mears because they have contracts with all the major properties in town,
like Disney. Some of them pay $880 a week because the company recently
increased its rental rates.
"We working over 16 hours a day and seven days a week, we can barely make a
living. We don't see our kids," said driver Fritz Robinson.
Drivers want the city to change the rules to make it easier for them to go
independent and break up what they believe is a Mears monopoly.
The city said the system is set up the way it is for safety reasons and they
want drivers who are interested in serving the entire city, not just tourist
areas.
"They have a choice. There are six licensed cab companies in the city. It's
not fair to attack us. We've been here 70 years and we provide a good
service. There are other cab companies in town they can work for and
everyone is free to start their own business," Mears spokesperson Roger
Chapin said late Monday morning.
http://www.worldpress.org/feed.cfm?http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0425/breaking46.htm
, April 25, 2008, 13:37
Taxi protests likely to spread - union
Charlie Taylor
As taxi drivers in Waterford and Limerick take to the streets in separate
protests this afternoon, the National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) has warned
that stoppages in other parts of the country are likely over the coming
weeks and months.
Speaking this afternoon, the NTDU's president Tommy Gorman said that there
was widespread anger from drivers over the issuing of taxi licences.
The Waterford Taxi Association is currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute
with Waterford City Council on the shortage of rank spaces in the city
centre and is currently staging a two-hour stoppage in the city.
Taxi drivers have claimed that their livelihoods are at risk due to a lack
of available taxi rank spaces in Waterford and today's protest is the latest
in a long line of stoppages staged by drivers.
Waterford City Council acknowledges that there has been an almost 900 per
cent increase in the number of taxis plying for hire in the city since
de-regulation of taxi licences in 2003.
However, earlier this month, it said that while it was aware of the taxi
drivers concerns, it wasn’t in a position to increase the number of taxi
ranks in the city centre as the space simply does not exist.
Elsewhere, a protest is to be held in Limerick later this afternoon over the
issuing of licences to part-time drivers.
Full-time taxi drivers in the city claim that their jobs are at risk because
there is almost double the number of licenced operators in the city than
there should be. Drivers have called for a complete work stoppage by all
taxis from 3pm onwards.
Mr Gorman claimed today that Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, Kathleen
Doyle, seemed to be more interested in accruing revenue from the issuing of
new licences than in safeguarding the livelihoods of those who are already
employed as taxi drivers.
The NTDU claims that over 200 licences are currently being issued each month
and says that €32 million in revenues have been acquired from the issuing of
licenses since September 2006.
“Kathleen Doyle only seems to be interested in consumers and there seems to
be a complete lack of interest in looking after the drivers who provide the
services to the public,” said Mr Gorman.
"She continues to issue licences despite there being enough taxis on the
road. There’s so much anger over this from drivers that I expect that the
protests we’re seeing today will spread nationwide unless proper measures
are introduced to resolve the problem,” he added.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0506/breaking34.htm
Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 14:49
Dublin taxi drivers hold unofficial protest
Related »
Taxi protests may spread nationwide | 26/04/2008
External »
Commission for Taxi Regulation
NTDU
The Irish Times take no responsibility for the content
or availability of other websites
Elaine Edwards
Hundreds of taxi drivers engaged in unofficial protests in Dublin today
claiming a “saturated market” in taxi plates is making it increasingly
difficult for them to make a living.
President of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union (NTDU) Tommy Gorman said the
drivers were taking action over the “dismissive attitude” of the
Commissioner for Taxi Regulation Kathleen Doyle.
Mr Gorman claimed the regulator was refusing to take action to deal with
what had become an oversaturated market.
“She is issuing 300 new plates a month and we don’t know where the customers
are going to come from because each plate would need 12 to 15 passengers a
day to make it viable,” he said.
“As far as we are concerned, this market is saturated and it’s very hard to
make a living. Drivers were expecting big things after Kathleen Doyle took
over as regulator. We met her last September when we could see this thing
getting out of hand and we met her in March but she dismissed the concerns.”
Asked what form the protests were taking, Mr Gorman said taxi drivers were
all coming out to work on ranks today “as normal”. They would not
inconvenience members of the public who wished to hire a taxi, he said.
He said they were gathered at ranks in the city centre and, with the help of
the Garda Siochána, were making sure that there were no “blockades” or
disruption of traffic.
Traffic in Dublin city centre this morning did not show any signs of unusual
disruption. Two taxi ranks in the O’Connell Street area had a number of
taxis waiting and appeared to be operating normally.
By just after 11am, there was little evidence of the planned protest in the
city centre. However, shortly after 2pm, several hundred taxis drove along
College Green sounding their horns.
One driver, who did not wish to named, said earlier at a rank on Dame Street
that the protest was "just to show how many cars are on the road". "At the
weekends it’s just wall-to-wall taxis and it’s affecting my living," he
said.
Brendan Byrne from Dublin stood with a small number of other taxi drivers
across the road at Foster Place at 11am. He said he believed the taxi
regulator “just doesn’t want to listen” to drivers’ concerns. But he
believed more drivers would turn out for today’s “working protest”.
“I was expecting a lot more but I think a lot of lads are probably working
the outskirts of the city, the airport and that. It was to be a show of
strength, of numbers because we feel it’s at saturation point now. It’s just
going beyond a bit of a joke. It’s gone from about 3,000 taxis in this city
to nearly 13,000 over seven and a half years.”
The drivers had not intended to carry out any “blockade”. “We don’t want to
be upsetting the public. We want to get confidence in the taxi industry,” he
said. “Blocking the streets isn’t the way forward so that’s why we said we’d
do a ‘working protest’ today," Mr Byrne said.
Paul Kavanagh from Lucan, who normally works at night, said he came out to
join the protest to protect his livelihood. He said he knew a number of taxi
drivers who had left the business because they could not make a living due
to the number of cars on the road.
“It’s great for the consumer but it’s not great for the taxi drivers - we’re
all individual people as well,” Mr Kavanagh said. “It’s just got so hard - I
work 60 hours a week. I have a wife and two kids. It’s a case of a full-time
taxi driver and part-time father with no time to see Shamrock Rovers. I work
longer hours now for less money.”
In a statement, the Commission for Taxi Regulation said the small public
service vehicle (SPSV) industry is now working within a liberalised market
and it is not within the remit of the commission to put a cap on the number
of licences issued.
“Whilst the commission recognises the right of members of the industry to
express their views unfortunately disruptive action only succeeds in
inconveniencing potential customers and ultimately affects the earnings of
the self-employed drivers," it said.
On the issue of adequate space at taxi ranks, which has also been raised by
drivers, the commission said this matter was under the remit of "the
relevant local authority".
The commission said it had undertaken to conduct an economic review of the
industry and a nationwide audit of taxi ranks in 2008. However, Mr Gorman
said taxi drivers under pressure to earn a living “do not have time for an
in-depth study”.
Ms Doyle angered drivers last month when she told an Oireachtas transport
committee she did not have the power to cap licences and that drivers who
weren't earning money needed to manage their businesses better.
Taxi drivers in Limerick and Waterford engaged in unofficial following her
remarks and the NTDU warned this action was likely to spread nationwide.
More than 26,000 taxi, hackney and limousine licences were issued up to last
March.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081952730300.htm
Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore
Auto drivers stage protest
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: Autorickshaw drivers under the banner of the Coimbatore District
Autorickshaw Workers All Association Joint Committee staged a demonstration
on Huzur Road in front of the Red Cross Society building urging the
authorities to streamline the functioning of call taxis and share
autorickshaws.
According to the president of the committee, P.K. Sugumaran, and secretary
G. Ansarbasha, the demonstrators wanted the stand system to be streamlined
and the autorickshaws should be insulated from the interference of call
taxis and share autorickshaws.
The concept of call taxis, in violation of rules, has come as a death-knell
for the nearly 9,000 autorickshaws in the city.
The nomenclature call taxi’s never find a place or mention in the Motor
Vehicle Rules. The self-styled call taxi concept was fast become a law unto
themselves. The call taxi drivers besides luring passengers with
advertisement campaign were parking the vehicles right in front of
autorickshaw stands soliciting passengers leading to wordy duels.
More passengers
Similarly, the operation of share autorickshaws was also proving to be a
concern for the auto drivers as the share automen were allowing more
passengers to board the vehicle than the allowed capacity.
It was time the law enforcing agencies such as Transport Department and
police streamlined the functioning of these two modes of transport, they
added.
http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20080422/news/news4.html
Taxi men protest fees, roads
Rasbert Turner, Star Writer
Spanish Town
Scores of commuters were left stranded in sections of St Catherine yesterday
as taxi operators withdrew their services, protesting bad road conditions
and a hike in the road licence fees.
Roadblocks
The Star visited the Church Pen main road in St Catherine to find fallen
trees blocking the road. The cry on the lips of taxi operators were that the
bad road conditions have yet to be addressed despite a recent protest
against this. The police later cleared the road.
Meanwhile, taxis plying the Spanish Town-to-Naggo Head route showed their
displeasure against a proposed hike in road licences by withdrawing their
services. They claimed some of them now have to pay up to $50,000 for a
route and they cannot afford this.
Promised
Several commuters were unable to get to their destination as a result of the
withdrawal.
The cabbies later returned to work after they were promised by the
authorities that a solution would be worked out. They however promised to
restart their protest if they were not given a favourable response.
President of the Portmore Route Taxi Association, Widcliffe Addison, said he
hopes something can be done for the operators who are finding it very hard
to cope.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/8064/26/
Irate bus and taxi operators protest across the island
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Bus operators in St. James are irate over being omitted from the recent
fare increase and what they describe as a lack of representation by the
Northwestern bus association.
The drivers who converged at the Montego Bay Transport Centre on Tuesday
morning claim the association should have lobbied the government for a fare
increase at the same time as taxi operators.
The drivers claim they face greater expenses and are more deserving of a
fare increase than their taxi counterparts and therefore need proper
representation to highlight their grouse.
They noted they will be shortly lobbying the government for a similar
increase to that of the taxi operators.
He added that they will withdraw their services if their demands are not
met.
While many passengers said they cannot cope with any further increase in
fares, some were in support of the bus operators.
The drivers who parked their vehicles and converged at the bus park on
Tuesday ply routes in Montego Bay to Lucea, Savanna la mar, Falmouth Ocho
Rios, Kingston, and upper St. James.
And bus operators in Linstead, St. Catherine who on Tuesday morning withdrew
their service to protest over the Government's failure to grant them a fare
increase remained off the job on Tuesday afternoon.
The operators are adamant that they will stay off the job until Transport
Minister Mike Henry addresses them on the matter.
When RJR News visited the bus terminus only one minibus operator was seen
soliciting passengers.
Meanwhile, taxi operators plying the Old Harbour to Spanish Town route in
St. Catherine are complaining that as a result of the increase in operation
costs they are losing passengers to bus operators.
According to one taxi operator the situation is taking a toll on them.
"Well the problem is that since we were granted the increase in fare and the
bus operators have not been granted an increase people are more inclined to
go with the bus...but I think after a while they will have to come back to
the taxis because the buses are turning off [of the route] with them," said
an Old Harbour taxi operator.
"...for now we are getting a hard time because we are not getting anyone to
travel with us as before," he said.
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=34814
Cab drivers protest hike in deposition money
Staff Correspondent
Several thousand drivers of CNG-run taxicabs on Thursday observed a work
stoppage in the city protesting an increase of rate of daily money
deposition by the owners.
They also staged demonstration in the city's Matuail and Gabtoli areas
against the decision of the cab owners, urging the government for taking
measures in this regard.
The drivers alleged that in the name of the price hike of the CNG, the
taxicab owners increased the rate.
They said although the government had fixed a rate of Tk 450 per day, they
had to pay the owners Tk 560. But the cab owners at a sudden decision fixed
Tk 920 for each cab per day.
According to witnesses, several thousand taxicabs were seen parking at
different depots in the city as the drivers went on work stoppage.
Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association Chairman and former BNP lawmaker GM
Siraj told The Daily Star, “Though there is a government decision of driving
taxicabs by the drivers against the deposition of a fixed amount of money,
drivers run my cabs on condition of commission.”
Replying to a question, GM Siraj said, “As the CNG price has been hiked, we
have to collect extra charge.”
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23621686-5001021,00.html?from=public_rss
Negotiations end man-boob mayhem
April 30, 2008 10:45am
A PROTEST by cab drivers which has caused mayhem in Melbourne's CBD appears
to have ended with cabbies having their demands for safer conditions met.
Driver representative Mohammed Jama and Victorian Taxi Directorate general
manager Peter Corcoran said safety screens would be made compulsory in taxis
and introduced by Christmas.
Pre-paid fares will be compulsory between 10pm and 5am each night, and the
State Government will cover all medical costs for a driver stabbed and left
for dead this week.
Mr Jama said he was happy with the result and drivers could remove the
screens if they did not want them.
Earlier, dozens of drivers whipped off their shirts and sat down at a busy
city intersection this morning as part of a protest over the stabbing of a
colleague that brought central Melbourne to a halt
See all the man-boob action here.
The crowd of up to 1,000 angry drivers blocked traffic on the corner of
Swanston and Flinders streets, one of the city's busiest.
Chanting "we want justice" and "shame, shame Victoria police", some braved
Melbourne's cold and stripped off their tops at the intersection of Swanston
and Flinders streets.
Some drivers held signs reading "stop killing the drivers" and "help us", as
scores of taxis lined the streets.
Dozens of police monitored the protest.
Drivers have made several demands of the State Government, including
compensation for the stabbing victim and severe punishment for the offender.
The drivers also want driver safety screens, pre-paid taxi rides, special
protection at certain railway stations and suburbs after hours, and more
help from police.
They said they would march through the city today to demand a meeting with
Transport Minister Lynne Kosky.
The rally came after a 23-year-old taxi driver was stabbed in Melbourne
early yesterday.
A man will appear in a Melbourne court today charged with attempted murder.
Ms Kosky today called on the taxi drivers to end their blockade, saying she
told taxi representatives last night she was willing to meet them.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Attack_on_Indian_cabbie_in_Oz_triggers_protests/articleshow/2997894.cms
Attack on Indian cabbie in Oz triggers protests
30 Apr 2008, 1117 hrs IST,ANI
MELBOURNE: Traffic has been disrupted in Melbourne since last evening,
following strong protests from nearly one thousand taxi drivers demanding
safety, after a 23-year-old Indian part-time taxi driver was stabbed several
times by a miscreant in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. ( Watch )
At times standoffs emerged between the protesting taxi drivers and the
Police, even as cops were seen dragging them away. ( Watch )
Jalvinder Singh, the stabbed taxi driver, has been declared out of danger at
Royal Melbourne Hospital after his condition improved. A man charged with
his attempted murder appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The agitated taxi-drivers, most of them Indians, shouted slogans against the
Melbourne Police and demanded better safety conditions for them during odd
hours.
Trams are being diverted, access to the city's airport is under threat and
mounted police are on standby as cab drivers protest over the stabbing of a
colleague, said an AAP report
According to the report, three taxi-driver representatives met the taxi
directorate on Wednesday morning agreed to march on Parliament House to
shift the protest from the city center, but their attempts to convince the
protesters to move have failed, extending the protest which began on Tuesday
afternoon.
Taxi drivers have also threatened to block access to Melbourne Airport if
the Transport Minister doesn't meet them before noon.
Some protesters removed their shirts chanting slogans like "What do we want?
Justice!", and "Taxi-drivers rights, Human rights"..
Demands of the protesting taxi-drivers include compensation for the stabbing
victim, safety screens for cabs, fares to be pre-paid around the clock,
special protection at specific rail stations and suburbs, and a demand that
police treat migrant complaints seriously.
Police said they could break up the protest at any time. Inspector Steve
Beith told 3AW radio the traffic situation was "not good".
The police were willing to facilitate a peaceful protest and march but had
been frustrated in their search for a single voice from the protesters, said
Beith and added: "There doesn't appear to be any structure or organizers.
Every time we try to speak to anybody the shouting and the chants start.
It's very difficult to hear what they're trying to say. There appears to be
different groups with different organisers of those groups. It's very hard
to work out who's who."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004440873_webtaxi27m.html
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - Page updated at 12:05 PM
E-mail article Print view Share: Digg Newsvine
Taxi drivers honk in protest over King County license plan
By Keith Ervin
Seattle Times staff reporter
PREV of NEXT
MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Taxi cab drivers from different companies rally outside the Columbia Center
along Fifth Avenue and Cherry Street Tuesday morning. Menindar Singh, right,
Lakhwinder Randhawa, center and Sukhwinder Singh, left, were among the
protesters.
Dozens of taxi drivers angry about King County's plan to award 50 new taxi
licenses converged on downtown Seattle this morning and leaned on their
horns as they drove past the office of County Executive Ron Sims in the
Columbia Tower.
Protesting drivers said their taxi licenses would be devalued by the
county's announcement Friday that it plans to issue licenses to Green Cab
Taxi & Disabled Service Association.
"Now they are giving other licenses to their buddies," said driver Kulwant
Singh Grewal, president of the Seattle Taxi Owner Association.
Caroline Whalen, program project director for Sims, said Friday that Green
Cab was "the most able" contractor for a test program to bring in more
gas-electric hybrid taxis and allow drivers to be represented by a labor
union.
She denied critics' claim that Green Cab was chosen because a number of its
drivers donated to Sims' 2005 re-election campaign.
Douglas Titus, attorney for the Seattle Washington Taxi Association, a group
opposing the Green Cab licenses, said it will challenge them in court if the
county doesn't back off from its decision. He called the licensing process
"fundamentally unfair."
Bashi Hassan, a driver who said he is not affiliated with Green Cab,
supported the new licenses and said the protesters are cab owners who are
exploiting their nonowner drivers. "They want to dominate, monopolize this
business," he said.
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2379892,00.html
Taxi protesters attack drivers
21/08/2008 11:37 - (SA)
Johannesburg - About 50 members of the Kempton Park Taxi Association
blockaded Tembisa roads on Thursday morning, robbing at least one motorist
and slashing the tyres of two cars, police said.
"The illegal march started at about 04:00 this morning by taxi operators of
the Kempton Park Taxi Association," said Inspector Mveli Nhlapo.
The protesters, one of whom was armed with a firearm, others carrying
knobkerries and sjamboks, stopped motorists in Tembisa who were transporting
stranded commuters.
"Two cars were damaged. They slashed all four tyres on both cars. One of the
motorists said they also took money from him," said Nhlapo.
"We don't know what aggravated them," he added.
The protesters then took a train at Leralla railway station to Van Riebeeck
station near Kempton Park and continued their march.
"The police warned them to disperse because the march was illegal but they
refused to disperse. The police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd,"
said Nhlapo.
Some of the protesters ran away but 13 were arrested. They face charges of
malicious damage to property, public violence, theft and possession of an
illegal firearm.
Nobody was injured.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_South%20Africa&set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20080529194715962C221065
Taxi drivers stage protest
May 29 2008 at 07:55PM
Local taxi drivers staged a protest against buses transporting commuters
around Orange Farm instead of only into town, Gauteng police said on
Thursday.
Captain Johannes Motsiri said the taxi drivers protested against competition
from buses, which were transporting people around locally for R3, instead of
only taking them into town.
The protest drew onlookers and was peaceful, said Motsiri. - Sapa
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,170503,00.html
Lesotho taxi drivers protest against shooting
May 29, 2008, 08:45
Taxi drivers in the capital of Lesotho are blocking the main southern road
into the city. The drivers are protesting the shooting yesterday of a taxi
owner following a row with a government bus assistant.
Police say the taxi drivers were attempting to stop passengers from boarding
a government bus and the bus assistant allegedly shot and wounded the taxi
owner. The bus assistant is in police custody and police are investigating a
case of attempted murder.
Transport operators in Lesotho are still awaiting a response from government
following a petition against the introduction of government buses in the
city. They claim the government buses are killing private transport in
Lesotho.
Last week the taxi owners in the Lesotho capital, Maseru, went on a campaign
to stop new government buses from operating. The taxi owners offloaded
passengers and instructed bus drivers to park some buses. They are expected
to take part in talks with government to resolve the issue.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS02/806240347/1018/RSS0101
Port Chester taxi drivers strike to protest licensing proposal
By Aman Ali and Theresa Juva • The Journal News • June 24, 2008
PORT CHESTER - Taxi drivers in the village have gone on strike this week to
protest the mayor's plan to increase cab licensing requirements.
"The mayor is opening the door for more county regulation," said Stephen
Neilsen, president of the Port Chester Taxi Association. "Only the mayor
wants this plan, and he won't stop until he gets what he wants."
Currently, cabdrivers in the village are required to have licenses from the
state and the village. Mayor Dennis Pilla's plan would require them to get a
license from the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission, which
conducts extensive background and driving-record checks on drivers, measures
the village currently does not take.
"We're doing this to enhance the public's safety," Pilla said. "With
criminal background checks, we want the public to be assured that our
drivers have a solid background."
The taxi association represents 85 drivers in the village who serve about
2,000 customers a day. Around 30 of them stood outside the village's
Metro-North Railroad station yesterday wearing white T-shirts with the
phrase "No TLC," in reference to the county licensing commission
requirements.
Fred Hudson, a driver in the village for 50 years, said a majority of the
village's taxi drivers were of Hispanic origin.
"Once again, the village is picking on the Hispanic crowd," he said.
Neilsen said Pilla's proposal would be a burden on the village's drivers,
who already "struggle to make a living."
The village looked into doing its own background checks and concluded county
licenses would be cheaper for drivers, Pilla said. The county licenses will
cost drivers $115, as opposed to $330 if the village were to conduct the
checks.
"Not only will they be paying less, but with this extra license, they'll be
able to work all over the county," Pilla said. "It enhances their employment
ability."
Neilsen said licensing costs weren't an issue for the association's drivers.
"We don't mind paying the extra fees for drug tests and background checks,"
Neilsen said. "As long as we can keep the tests here in Port Chester."
Cabdrivers will be on strike until Thursday, when the village will hold a
public hearing at 8 p.m. on the proposal. Neilsen said his association is
prepared to continue the strike if the plan is approved.
Reach Aman Ali at aali at lohud.com or 914-694-5063.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200807080541.html
Uganda: Taxi Drivers Protest Levy
New Vision (Kampala)
7 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala
Taxi drivers have asked local government minister Kahinda Otafiire to stop
the Uganda Taxi Operators and Driver Association (UTODA) from charging them
what they called illegal fees.
They argued that UTODA was charging them between sh2,000 and sh35,000 each
time they loaded passengers at various stages.
"UTODA has continued to illegally and forcefully collect loading fees
without giving us receipts," read a July 4 letter signed by their chairman,
Mustapha Mayambala.
The drivers first petitioned the Ministry of Local Government over the fees
last year and the state minister, Hope Mwesige, constituted a committee to
investigate the matter.
The probe established that the 'loading fees' were illegal because they were
not backed by any legal instrument.
Mwesige instructed the town clerk to abolish the levy by July 1.
However, UTODA has continued to collect it, saying Otafiire allegedly
allowed them to continue collecting the fees on June 30.
UTODA manages the taxi parks and Kampala City Council authorised it to
collect sh20,000 from each driver as monthly fees (sticker) and sh4,500 as
daily receipt charges.
http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/General/10230609.html
Taxi drivers protest 'salary cuts' in Abu Dhabi
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
Published: July 21, 2008, 00:05
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi witnessed its first protest by taxi drivers on Sunday
since the new silver taxis run by seven franchises were introduced in
November 2007.
About 50 taxi drivers from one taxi company went on protest yesterday
morning, against alleged 'salary cuts'. However, most of the drivers had
returned to work by evening, following the intervention of the police and
the Ministry of Labour, said Trans AD, the Centre for Regulation of
Transport by Hire Cars.
"Most of them were convinced when the authorities said it was illegal to
carry out any sort of protest," Huda Al Ka'abi, Communication officer at
Trans AD, told Gulf News.
"They were demanding that 'cuts' on traffic offences be waived but the job
contract signed by them stipulates otherwise," said the official.
The divers told Gulf News that their salaries were cut for not meeting their
daily target of Dh350.
"Apart from that, we have to bear a number of other 'cuts' on the fines
imposed by the traffic police and Trans AD", said A. M, a taxi driver.
"We are compelled to work more than 14 hours to meet the target", said S.A,
another taxi driver.
Refuting the allegation regarding 'high targets', the manager said the
company has set a daily target of Dh300 as most drivers easily made Dh400.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/16/20080816limo0816.html
Limo drivers protest Sky Harbor rule on idling vehicles
New limit on idling vehicles is another blow to a wilting industry,
chauffeurs say
42 comments by Jahna Berry - Aug. 16, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Limousine drivers staged a protest for nearly three hours at Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport on Friday afternoon, refusing to take any
customers until they spoke with airport officials.
The move was sparked by a new airport rule that cut the number of limos that
could idle at Terminal 3 from two to one.
But the limo drivers said the protest is really about several airport
policies that favor taxi companies over limousines, although limo firms say
that they pay thousands more for airport fees.
Limo drivers have been hit hard by airport rules, the flagging economy, high
gas prices and relatively inexpensive limo fares, the protesters said. In a
profession steeped in the aura of luxury, many drivers are barely scraping
by.
"We are dying out here," said Mark Marsden, a driver for Black Pearl Limo
who also runs his own limo company.
The limo drivers got back to work around 2 p.m.
Airport officials have agreed to meet with the limo companies next week to
hear their concerns, said airport spokeswoman Claire Simeone. A date has not
yet been set yet, she said.
"We are looking forward to meeting with the limousine companies, who we will
have contact with next week," Simeone said.
Such protests are "very rare," she added.
There are seven limousine companies that operate 30 vehicles at Sky Harbor,
she said.
The tensions at the airport developed over time, drivers say.
The airport has slowly whittled the number of limos that can idle at the
terminals and now asks drivers to park in areas that are tough for customers
to find, said Jay Mamfoukh, a driver for Mechelle Limousine. Mamfoukh has
been in the business for more than a decade.
Visibility is key for taxis and limos because harried travelers make quick
transportation decisions when they leave the terminal, Mamfoukh said.
The policies are a problem because limousine firms pay as much as $25,000
per car for annual airport fees while a taxi firms pays $200 per cab, limo
drivers say.
Simeone said she could not comment about specific complaints because she was
not familiar with limo contracts, she said. Airport officials who handle
limo contracts were not available for comment late Friday afternoon.
The bleak economy has made a bad situation worse, drivers say.
Limousine drivers spend about $200 a day for gas and lease expenses. In
better times, they had six to seven customers a day. Now it's trickled to
two or three.
Many days they don't break even, said limo driver Arman Shahsavan.
Shahsavan, 46, remembers a recent airport customer asked for a ride to the
Phoenician Resort. Shahsavan charged the man $45. The man was stunned,
Shahsavan recalled.
"Forty-five dollars?" the man said. "Here's $100. Get a new profession."
If things stay the same, Shahsavan said, many drivers may have to.
http://www.wsmv.com/news/17159644/detail.html?rss=nash&psp=news#-
Cab Drivers Stage Protest At Courthouse
Drivers Say They Make $2.07 An Hour
Reported by Sara Dorsey
POSTED: 12:58 pm CDT August 11, 2008
UPDATED: 8:55 pm CDT August 11, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some Nashville taxi drivers staged a protest on the
steps of the Metro courthouse on Monday for what they call unfair work
conditions.
Video: Cab Drivers Stage 'Sick Out'
The drivers said they are tired of low wages and high company fees and want
Mayor Karl Dean to help with situation.
The drivers said they make $2.07 an hour, plus they have to pay a $175 fee
to drive under the Allied Cab company name.
The group said they are targeting all area cab companies, but contend that
Allied is the worst to work for.
The high price of food and fuel makes it difficult for them to live,
according to the cab drivers.
Cab drivers want ordinances to change or at least for someone to intervene,
forcing company heads to the negotiating table
Allied Cab of Nashville would not comment on the drivers' allegations or the
protest.
http://www.wsmv.com/news/17036078/detail.html
Nashville Cab Drivers Demand Better Pay
Drivers Ask Mayor To Hold Public Hearings
POSTED: 8:14 am CDT July 30, 2008
UPDATED: 5:12 pm CDT July 30, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville's cab drivers have threatened to strike and on
Wednesday they took their fight to the mayor.
The drivers are protesting the high costs of operating a taxi in the city.
Because of business licenses, company fees, city permits and even fees for
different times of day, the drivers said they net a little over $2 an hour.
"All of these things come out of what you make, and if they're going to put
an extra burden of charging you additional fees, such as if you have
somebody driving the car on the nightshift, this is inhumane. This is a
moral issue, and it's just very difficult to make a living," said cab driver
Maurice Harris.
The drivers want Mayor Karl Dean to hold public hearings on the issue to
explore why cab companies can charge their drivers so much just to operate.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=95300
Drivers' Protests Leave 1000 Foreign Tourists Stuck at Burgas Airport
19 July 2008, Saturday
Bulgaria: About 1000 foreign tourists were stuck for two hours at the
airport in the city of Burgas because the local bus drivers refused to drive
them to Sunny Beach and the Black Sea resorts located to the south of the
city.
The drivers protested against a recent measure taken by the State Automobile
Inspectorate (DAI), which started to fine them if they worked for more than
eight hours a day.
The drivers explained they must not be fined because their working time was
nine hours a day but sometimes they would drive for only an hour because
they had to wait for the tourist planes to arrive.
Representatives of the DAI in turn explained they were only adhering to the
law. Only on Friday night they fined about 100 drivers, the lowest fine
being BGN 500.
The aim of their sanctions is to make sure the bus drivers along Bulgaria's
sea coast get sufficient hours of rest and sleep in order to prevent
potential accidents.
In order to conduct its campaign properly, DAI even sent additional number
of inspectors to the three Black Sea districts of Varna, Burgas, and
Dobrich.
Three police cars arrived at the Burgas airport during the protest. Around 4
p.m. the buses set off to the nearby Black Sea resorts with the foreign
tourists on board.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/03/stories/2008070352290300.htm
Andhra Pradesh - Rajahmundry
Cab operators stage protest against VAT
Staff Reporter
Rajahmundry: Cab and taxi operators staged a dharna against the Value Added
Tax (VAT) on luxury tourist cars, cabs and other taxies on Wednesday. The AP
Taxi Owners and Drivers’ Welfare Association organised the dharna in front
of the commercial taxes office here.
Association leaders K. Suri Babu and M. Satyanaryana said that the
government was already levying taxes on spare parts, ect. and thant VAT was
and additional burden on them.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/24/stories/2008042453430400.htm
Traders protest against Govt. apathy
Staff Reporter
Photo: Sandeep Saxena
Sharing the dais: Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana with
Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal president Shyam Behari Mishra during the
traders’ rally in New Delhi on Wednesday.
NEW DELHI: Traders from across the country under the aegis of Bharatiya
Udyog Vyapar Mandal organised a rally at Ramlila Grounds here on Wednesday.
Led by the Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal president, former Member of
Parliament Shyam Behari Mishra, the participants in the rally accused the
Government of failing to protect the traders’ rights even after 60 years of
independence.
Rally coordinator Bal Krishna Agarwal said the Government had been
bad-mouthing the traders by accusing them of hoarding essential commodities.
Manohar Lal Kumar, coordinator of the Delhi wing of the traders’
organisation, said the traders in the Capital had been badly affected first
by the sealing drive that was carried out and now by the recent order
pertaining to the amendment in the tenancy laws applicable to shops.
Addressing the rally, Mr. Mishra said the Government had passed on the blame
for the recent surge in inflation to the traders whereas actually it was its
flawed policies that had led to the sharp rise in prices.
He demanded that the total tax payable by traders not exceed 20 per cent as
against the current 42 per cent. The Centre and the State should fix 12 and
8 per cent tax respectively, he added. He said the implementation of VAT had
also led to the price rise in the country and the Government should issue a
White Paper on the reason for implementing the tax even as the traders were
vehemently opposed to it.
Mr. Mishra also sought relief and waiver for the traders in the small-scale
sectors, whose establishments had closed down and therefore they were unable
to repay loans. He also sought similar relief for the traders whose small
shops or cottage industry had wound up and had taken a loan of Rs.1 lakh and
sought the setting up of a traders’ relief fund.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana also attended the rally.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/23/stories/2008072351210300.htm
Andhra Pradesh - Kadapa
Protest against civic officials
KADAPA: Self-help group women and CPI (M) activists staged dharna near Rajiv
Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Putlampalle on Tuesday
deploring the abrupt pulling out of three kiosks without any formal notice
by revenue and municipal corporation officials and police. District
Collector M.T. Krishna Babu gave permission in December 2006 to SHG
members - Lakshmisai of Akkayapalle, Sai of Pathakadapa and Theresa of
Sivanandapuram - to set up small shops Women protested uprooting of kiosks
without prior intimation.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080751220300.htm
Karnataka - Hassan
Vegetable merchants stage protest
HASSAN: Vegetable merchants formed a human chain at Gorur Circle here on
Tuesday, holding up traffic there. The protesters were demanding basic
amenities at vegetable markets in Hassan. They also staged a dharna in front
of the City Municipal Council (CMC) office. President of the CMC Ratnamma
Mahantesh and Commissioner Raju heard their grievances. The merchants told
them that there were no proper approach roads and drinking water facilities
at the markets. This problem had been persisting for 40 years. Every year
the CMC promised them that infrastructure would be provided, but nothing
concrete was being done, they said. Mr. Raju said he would call for tenders
and start work within two months. — Staff Correspondent
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=354853
Traders stage unique protest outside Rajghat against inflation
ANI Friday 2nd May, 2008
New Delhi, May 2 : Donning shorts, vests and ties, Delhi businessmen staged
a unique demonstration on Friday outside Rajghat, the memorial to the Father
of India, Mahatma Gandhi, protesting against the rising prices of essential
commodities.
"We are facing a number of problems like inflation, sealing etc. Thanks to
this government by which the common man is badly affected. The poor are
already suffering. The common man's condition would be akin to wearing just
a tie sans shirts and pants. If this situation persists, neither workers nor
businessmen can survive," said one of the businessmen.
The traders said the price rise has forced even well off traders to struggle
for their livelihood.
They demanded immediate government intervention in the matter to protect the
livelihood of traders and people of other sections dependent on them.
The traders also demanded for setting up of a regulatory body for the
forward trading business and to make delivery of goods compulsory for the
transactions made in forward trading.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a call today for a
nationwide shutdown to protest against inflationary trends in the economy.
Shops and business establishments remained closed during the early hours.
India's annual wholesale price inflation was at three-year highs above 7 per
cent in mid-April.
India that has about 260 million poor is sensitive to rising prices because
food often accounts for a much higher proportion of people's expenditure
than in developed economies.
With inflation pressures largely coming from the supply side, economists say
there is a limit to what the central bank can do with monetary policy,
especially as growth is slowing.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23663917-2862,00.html
Richmond traders in clearway blockade protest
Article from: Reuters
Matthew Schulz
May 08, 2008 08:20am
MELBOURNE shopkeepers have disrupted traffic today in a protest over plans
to extend clearways they fear will rob them of customers.
This morning about 100 Richmond traders and their supporters blocked one
lane of busy Bridge Rd during the morning peak hour to make their point.
It was expected their protest would continue until about 9am.
Toorak Village traders also blocked Toorak Rd from 8am for about
three-quarters of an hour in a similar protest this morning.
The Stonnington Leader reports a stretch limo blocked traffic on Toorak Rd
in a stylish protest to the State Government's plan to extend clearway
times.
According to the report, Stonnington Cr Tas Athanasopoulos parked a cream
stretch limousine outside the Toorak Village from 8am.
The protest blocked a whole lane, with city-bound traffic snaking back to
Kooyong Rd.
Richmond protest organiser and Bridge Rd trader Herschel Landes told 3AW
radio this morning that the plan to extend clearways to include 6.30am-10am
and from 3pm to 7pm would devastate local business.
>From July 1 clearways on busy roads will be extended within 10km of the
city.
But Mr Landes said traders had been ignored.
"You're essentially saying that at 3pm in the afternoon business finishes.
And given that business starts about 12 o'clock that gives you three hours a
day.
"It's very difficult to run a business on three hours a day when you've got
rent to pay and staff to pay.
A report this week in the Melbourne Leader said affected traders across
Melbourne could expect to lose up to 15 per cent of their turnover.
Melbourne Business Council chairman Peter Nicoll said traders could lose up
to 15 per cent of business because of extended clearway hours. "If it was a
10 or 15 per cent (loss) it wouldn't surprise me . . . basically, the
trading hours are 10am until 3pm," Mr Nicoll said.
"It'll particularly affect those retailers that rely on foot traffic because
there's nowhere to park".
Bridge Rd Main Street Incorporated spokeswoman Nellie Dicks said the
Richmond shopping strip would be among the hardest hit.
"The traders are up in arms, the clearway already affects business because
it reduces car spots," Ms Dicks said. "They will end up closing, they're
struggling to make end's meet now ... to change the times is just going to
kill it (the strip)".
Ms Dicks said it would make side streets busier because shoppers needed to
find alternative parking.
Premier John Brumby last month announce a $112 million plan to extend the
operating hours of 150 clearways within a 10km radius of the CBD.
Mr Brumby said the change was in response to the CBD's dramatic job growth
and Melbourne's fast-growing population.
Mr Brumby made it clear the Government was ready for any fight, and Roads
Minister Tim Pallas has said the clearway times were non-negotiable.
The RACV has backed the plan for "vastly' improving the flow of traffic.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=115738
Small traders protest against extensive power failures Saturday, May 31,
2008
By our correspondent
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage
Industry, protesting against load-shedding in the city, has warned that
traders will block M A Jinnah Road if 12-hour-long power outages do not end.
The small traders said that their businesses have been ruined without
electricity and warned that the closure of manufacturing units was
contributing to rising unemployment, which would be uncontrollable if not
addressed now.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Market Associations Karachi expressed its deep
concern over the skyrocketing rise in prices of imported goods in the local
market, adding that this is mounting immense pressure on the local small
manufacturers’ production.
The association said that around 65 per cent Chinese and 5 per cent goods of
other countries have already overwhelmed local manufactures. The government
must devise strategies to support profitable industries like electricity
fans, cotton clothes, hosiery, marble products, furniture, leather garments,
hand-made carpets and others to earn valuable foreign exchange by
introducing them in international markets.
In another announcement, the Old City Traders Alliance of Karachi said that
60 markets of the old city area will stay open on Sundays and closed on
Fridays, complying with the government’s decision to conserve energy. The
markets include Kharadar, Juna Market, Jodia Bazaar, Sarafa Market, Motan
Das Market, Kiryana market, Dhagha Bazaar, Chanti Line Chapal Bazaar, Kaghzi
Bazaar and other markets of the old city area.
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/369340/cs/1/
Delhi traders protest against ICRIER report on retail trade
Malaysia Sun
Tuesday 10th June, 2008
(ANI)
New Delhi, June 10 : Traders today protested here against alleged insulting
remarks made about the fraternity in the recently submitted Council of
Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER) report on retail trade
to the Union Government.
The protestors burnt a copy of the report and alleged that the report was
misleading and was made to promote corporate giants.
Agitating traders also demanded that the Government should withdraw
derogatory remarks in the report.
A booming Indian economy coupled with a growing affluent middle class has
significantly increased the purchasing powers of people and retail giants,
both domestic and international, are eyeing the retail market, estimated to
be 350 billion dollars.
The entry of the big retail giants has resulted in protests and
demonstration all over the country as it is feared that it will put
family-run "mom and pop" stores out of business.
India is a land of retail democracy with hundreds of thousands of weekly
bazaars located across the length and breadth of the country by people's own
organizational capacities.
The dominance of a few corporations on the retail market against millions of
hawkers and small shopkeepers is not favoured.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080622-144049/Traders-mount-protest-at-Church-run-mall
Traders mount protest at Church-run mall
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:59:00 06/22/2008
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines--Businessmen have mounted a silent "show window
protest" at a mall built and operated by the Catholic Church to protest
rental increases that were imposed in spite of the prevailing economic
crisis.
Every day since June 12, tenants of the Porta Vaga Mall have been posting
protest signs on their show windows that question the rent hikes.
One sign challenges the Church's timing: "Tumataas din ang gasoline,
tumataas ang pagkain (Prices for gasoline and food are also rising)."
Most of the protest signs urged the Church to be more professional: "We urge
professionalism in operating Porta Vaga."
In statements she made before reporters, Eli Angel Garcia, president of the
Porta Vaga Tenants Association (PVTA), said the Church has raised rent
without improving its maintenance services.
The PVTA said the highest rent hike amounts to a 168-percent increase. Most
of the tenants, however, were imposed a 30-percent hike.
Needed money
For the Church, the rate hike was necessary because the mall raises the
operating funds for the Catholic Church's vicariates in Baguio, Benguet, Mt.
Province, Ifugao and Kalinga.
Antonette Eswigue, mall administrator, said Porta Vaga also provides funds
for the missionary work and social action projects of the Church in the
Cordillera.
The mall is an extension of the Puso ng Baguio building. Both facilities
were put up by a fund drive shortly after the July 16, 1990 earthquake.
The quake had eroded sections of the hill where the Baguio cathedral stands.
The Church designed a series of buildings that would also serve as retaining
walls to protect the cathedral.
Eswigue said the mall has not been earning since the SM City Baguio started
operating in the city.
She said company policy prevents her from releasing financial information,
but profits have dipped since 2004.
Bishops' letter
She said the Church authorized a uniform 30-percent rate reduction in 2004,
the year an outbreak of a fatal meningitis strain slowed down tourism here.
Some of the increases were inevitable due to inflation, she said.
Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran and Tabuk
Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. sent the tenants a June 4 letter that assured
them that the rent hikes were legal.
"At the termination of a contract, the administration has the right to amend
terms of contract, including increasing the rental rates, and it is up to
the client to accept or not," the bishops wrote.
But in a statement issued during a press conference on Tuesday, the tenants
asked: "Is it truly morally just to raise the rental rates to the point
[where] the client has no recourse but to close shop and to lay off his [or]
her employees?"
Vincent Cabreza
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=382901
Jewellers protest tax raids in Kerala
IANS Wednesday 16th July, 2008
Jewellers across Kerala did not open their shops Wednesday to protest
against state-wide tax raids conducted by the sales tax authorities.
The call for the protest was given by the All Kerala Gold and Silver
Merchants' Association.
The bullion merchants said that they were protesting against the 'arbitrary
raids and against the imposition of the compounding system' introduced under
Value Added Tax (VAT) regime. Under the compounding system, merchants have
to remit an advance tax of 150 percent of what they had paid in the previous
year.
'Compounding is not compulsory. We are free to opt out of it. But the tax
officials are using raids to compel us to accept the system,' said Ram Mohan
Kammath, a district-level office-bearer of the association.
Tax officials Tuesday raided around 30 jewellers across the state. 'We are
not against raids. But the officials should also hear what the merchants
say, before initiating punitive measures,' said P.C. Natesan, the state
general secretary of the association.
The sale tax department officials, however, say that they are trying to
impose the compounding system as retail sale of gold usually takes place
without bills to evade the tax.
'Considering the amount of gold sold in the state, the government thinks
that at present it is getting tax for only 10 percent of the sales,' said
C.P. Sajeevan, assistant commissioner of sales tax here.
'We have not calculated the total evasion detected during the raid yesterday
(Tuesday). The figure will be available in a week,' he said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24168386-3102,00.html?from=public_rss
Rates protesters shut down Brisbane City Hall
By Alison Sandy
August 12, 2008 03:00pm
BRISBANE'S City Hall was forced to shut down for an hour this afternoon when
a rates protester refused to leave the council chamber.
More than 30 CBD unit owners angry over exorbitant rate rises filled the
public gallery in support of Roma Street Parkland resident Martin Trama, who
in a presentation to the council, labelled the LNP councillors
"unrepresentative rabble".
Mr Trama claimed unit rates would soar by up to 1000 per cent.
"I've talked to hundreds of unit owners and they say the same thing - they
feel betrayed," he said.
"In many cases these are the same people who voted for the Liberal
councillors and trusted the word of Campbell Newman."
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman acknowledged it was Mr Trama's democratic right
to put his position to the council, but disputed his figures claiming his
rates would only rise from $1620 to $2312.
"This is the figure I have that you'll have to pay in the '08-'09 financial
year," he said.
"You will receive two quarters with barely an increase and then as you
rightly said, it will go up substantially for quarter three and quarter
four."
As Cr Newman continued, his words were drowned out by objections from the
unit owners, prompting Speaker Margaret de Wit to issue a warning.
When it was ignored, she threatened to have unit owner Bill Welch removed.
"I ask you to leave the chamber and the public gallery," Cr de Wit said.
Mr Welch replied: "No I'm not."
Deputy Mayor Graham Quirk intervened and called for the council to be
adjourned for one hour.
The motion was supported by the LNP majority.
http://www.azi.md/news?ID=50071
Protest march of meat traders in Chisinau
July 7 2008Print version
Meat traders from various parts of Moldova carried out a protest march in
Chisinau. They marched from the National hotel to the President's residence.
About 1000 protesters declaimed slogans "We Want to Be Heard, but not
Deceived!", "Down with Lie, Long Live to Justice!", "Come out to People!",
"Company - No, Patent -Yes!'. The participants were holding posters: "We
Demand Economic Freedom!", "Do not Make Us to Leave the Country!", "Do not
Expel Us from Home!".
Chairman of the Association of Small Business Eugen Riscovan told Infotag
that despite the fact that all meat traders pay all the state taxes and have
certificates of origin and sanitary certificates, they are not allowed to
sell on the basis of their patents certificate and make them to set up an
individual enterprise.
In his words, the authorities' striving to forbid the patent-based meat
trade is an attempt to monopolize the National economy. Roscovan considers,
if the Government forbids the patent-based meat trade, it means that big
economic interests interfere here.
He asserts that the Government supports frozen meat import for over 20
years, but it have not undertook anything for this period to provide an
efficient meat production in Moldova.
The Chairman said that the protesters have not received any answer to their
three letters, sent to the President's administration, where they request a
meeting with the President to discuss the Law on the Business Patent.
"In this situation we see no other way out, but to take people to the
street", Roscovan remarked.
During the protest action a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe and a delegation of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, which had planned meeting with the President, entered the
residence, which fact provoked a new wave of slogans on the part of the
protesters.
Meat traders protest for the seven successive weeks and demand from the
President to allow them to trade on the basis of the patent. They threaten
to protest each Monday until their demands will be satisfied.
http://social.moldova.org/stiri/eng/136156/
Patentees postpone protests until autumn
The meat sellers have announced that they put off the protests until autumn,
when the Parliament, Government and Presidential Office resume work.
Eugen Roscovanu, the president of the Small Business Association (AMB), told
a news conference on July 21 that the patentees will stage a large protest
march in downtown Chisinau at the beginning of autumn. He stressed that the
protests could grow in scope after the vacation.
Roscovanu also said that the patent holders will continue the protests until
they are not provided with adequate working conditions and the barriers
placed in their path are removed. According to him, the petitions filed to
the President and the Parliament produced no results, they receiving only
formal answers.
The AMB president said that despite the latest amendments to the
legislation, the vendors do not want to stop working in trade, even if they
meet with hindrances. Some of them resort to bribing the officials so as
they are allowed to sell the meat on the market.
Patent holder Victor Rosca from Ungheni town said that even if the meat is
sold within private companies, the quality of the meat products will not
improve. Yet, it will be much more difficult to sell them. “We are not to
blame for the lack of fridges and air conditioning in shops and markets as
this is the duty of the market administration,” Rosca said.
The meat sellers have protested in the center of Chisinau since the end of
May. The Chisinau City Hall authorized the patentee to hold protests until
this yearend. The last demonstration was a protest march staged on July
7.//REPORTER.MD
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/05/africa/ME-GEN-Egypt-Tourism-Protest.php
Owners of tourism shops in southern Egyptian town on hunger strike
The Associated Press
Published: June 5, 2008
ISNA, Egypt: Owners and workers of shops catering to tourism in southern
Egyptian have held a sit-in to demand that Nile River cruise ships dock in
their town.
More than 200 people held the sit-in Thursday in Isna's hospital, including
25 who went on a hunger strike.
They have sent messages to the government protesting recent route changes
that only allow cruise ships to dock in Isna for 15 minutes. They say that
doesn't give tourists enough time to come to their shops.
Cruise ships used to dock for several hours in Isna while waiting to pass
through locks at a dam on the Nile.
Isna, located just north of Luxor, is home to the Temple of Khnum. It was
built during the reign of Thutmose III who ruled Egypt from 1479-1425 B.C.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=130509
PFF announces protest campaign against injustice, victimisation Monday,
August 18, 2008
By our correspondent
HYDERABAD: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) on Sunday announced the
schedule of their protest drive being kicked off from August 19 against what
they described the anti-fishermen policies of the government.
They also warned of a long march from Sukkur to Karachi in case their
demands were not met. Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday, PFF
chairman Mohammed Ali Shah, Saeed Baloch, Mohammed Mallah, Ayub Mallah and
others said their demands had been presented to the government time and
again but nobody was bothered about it genuinely.
They said that the fishermen community must be given fishing and other
rights on the sweet waters of Sindh, end victimisation of the fisherfolk
community of Sindh, abolish the contract system and end atrocities committed
against fishermen in the province.
They especially referred the name of one, Qasim Zardari, who, according to
them, has illegally occupied the Chotiari reservoir depriving more than
12,000 fishermen of the right to earn their livelihood.
The representatives of the PFF complained that their activists were being
arrested and tortured for raising their voice against the injustice and
atrocities committed by Qasim Zardari, adding that the DPO Sanghar was
suspended when he supported the fishermen.
PFF Chairman Mohammed Ali Shah said that Qasim Zardari, claiming that he was
close relative of the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari, had been creating
immense problems for both the fishermen and the police administration.
He said the same situation was being faced by fishermen in other districts,
mainly in Larkana, Sukkur, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Thatta and Badin. The PFF
chairman appealed to the PPP leaders to come forward and save them from
further economic plunder of Qasim Zardari and others.
He said that the minister for fisheries Zahid Bhurgri was also apprised of
the fishermen's problems but no progress was made in this regard. The PFF
chairman warned that the protests would be staged in all the district
headquarters on August 19 and letters of their concern would also be written
to the PPP Co-chairperson Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
and others to apprise them of their demands.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=115050
Fishing community protest against inflation Tuesday, May 27, 2008
By our correspondent
Karachi
A large number of fisherwomen, children and men participated in a rally
organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) to condemn the price hike
and increasing unemployment in the coastal localities.
The protest demonstration led by the PFF Vice Chairperson, Tahira Ali,
Akhtar Sheikh, Nawaz Dablo, Khadim Panhwar and others started from Dabla and
culminated outside the Rehri Union Council (UC) in Bin Qasim Town. The PFF
has designed to observe the protest week and the rally was the first step to
get the community people united against their common problems. Carrying
banners and placards, the protestors were shouting slogans against the price
hike, unemployment and demanded to reduce price of kitchen items that they
said had affected the community. They said owing to over fishing, increasing
marine pollution and unsustainable government policies have forced large
number of fishermen to be jobless ultimately the community people have to
face starvation.
Ali while addressing the rally said the price of daily use items in coastal
localities are higher than other city areas. For instance, she said
fishermen are being forced to buy Atta at Rs35 per kg while the same product
in other areas is being sold at Rs28 only. Similarly, the rates of ghee,
cooking oil, milk, sugar and other items are also different.
The PFF has designed programmes to stage street theatres in different
coastal localities to mobilise the community people and create awareness to
fight for their common rights together. In this regard they will stage a
street theatre at Hawkes Bay localities on May 27 (today) and outside the
Karachi Press Club on May 28.
Akhtar Shaikh, Nawaz Dablo, Ruqaya Usman, Zulaikha Ghulam Hussain and others
also addressed the rally. They said several boat owners are unable to
operate their boats as the rates of diesel and ration have increased
manifold but the rates of seafood are the same as 20 years back.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=114478
Strike ends with pledge to continue protest Saturday, May 24, 2008
By our correspondent
Karachi
The strike launched by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum against Defence Housing
Authority (DHA) ended on Friday with a pledge to continue the protest till
the problems faced by the fishermen residing in the Machhi Mayan village
near Gizri are resolved.
A large number of fishermen, women and children participated for the third
consecutive day in the token hunger strike staged outside the Karachi Press
Club to express the solidarity with the fishermen of Gizri.
The protestors said that they will initiate the second phase of the movement
from the first week of June. They will also initiate lobbying with political
parties, civil society groups and human rights organisations to develop
pressure on the government to save the livelihood of the fishermen.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/20/stories/2008072058450300.htm
Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram
Fish workers to protest against cut in kerosene quota
Special Correspondent
Allege that corrupt officials indulge in black marketing
To lay siege to Civil Supplies office on Tuesday
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation,
representing traditional fish workers in the State, is embarking on an
agitation to protest against the government decision to cut the allocation
of kerosene for outboard engines used to power boats.
At a press conference here on Saturday, T. Peter, president of the
federation, and Anto Elias, district secretary, alleged that a section of
officials in the Civil Supplies department were trying to deny the eligible
quota of kerosene for fishermen with valid permits.
They said the move was part of a conspiracy hatched by corrupt officials
indulging in black marketing of kerosene.
The leaders of the federation said fishermen were increasingly using two
outboard engines for enhanced power and range, as well to ensure safety at
sea.
Depleting stocks
“The depleting fish stocks in the coastal waters have forced us to venture
out to the deep sea. This warrants the use of bigger and more powerful boats
to cover a larger distance as well as to haul big nets,” Mr. Peter said.
He claimed that the number of accidents at sea had come down drastically
ever since fishermen started using a spare engine for emergencies,
especially during the monsoon period when the sea turned rough.
“The decision to use a spare engine was the result of a sustained campaign
launched by the government in association with NGOs. It is ironic that the
government is now slashing the quota of kerosene.”
The leaders said most fishermen were forced to depend on the black market to
procure their requirement of kerosene.
They urged the government to restore the quantity of kerosene for fishermen
with valid permits.
The federation has announced plans to lay siege to the Civil Supplies office
here on Tuesday to highlight the demand.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/22/stories/2008062259670600.htm
Tamil Nadu
Fishermen protest against notification
Special Correspondent
NAGAPATTINAM: Fishermen and fish workers staged a demonstration in front of
the head post office here on Friday evening as part of a nationwide protest
organised by the National Fish Workers’ Forum demanding the Government to
revoke the Coastal Zone Management Notification 2008.
They also raised their voice against special economic zones, thermal power
plants on coastal areas and encroachment of the coast by the Government and
private parties for several ecologically-harmful projects. They pointed out
that the coast should remain with the fisherfolk.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=124762
San Fernando fishermen hold fluvial protest around 'Princess'
At least 500 fishermen of San Fernando town in Romblon province held a
"fluvial protest" Thursday and urged the Sulpicio Lines to immediately scoop
out the capsized M/V Princess of the Stars from the waters of Sibuyan
Island.
The fishermen gathered at the coast of Barangay Taclobo and held a program
first before they took turns in sailing around the capsized passenger vessel
on board at least 60 fishing boats.
One of the placards tucked in one of the boats said: "Barko mo kunin mo na.
Barko n'yo perwisyo sa hanapbuhay ng taong bayan ng San Fernando (Take your
vessel. Your vessel is harming the livelihood of the people of San
Fernando)."
The capsized ferry has been on the waters off Sibuyan Island for 19 days.
Decomposing bodies, and possibly, harmful chemicals are trapped inside the
ship.
It sank last June 21 at the height of Typhoon Frank with more than 800
passengers and a 10-metric ton shipment of pesticide endosulfan on board.
The endosulfan shipment is consigned to the Del Monte Philippines, Inc.
Officials also fear that a Bayer Philippines shipment also of pesticides,
kilos of finished products for crop production, may also be harmful to
marine and human life in the province.
The presence of the toxic chemicals has forced the Department of Health to
implement a ban on fish from San Fernando town.
Fishermen in the province have been pleading for help as their food supply
has started to dwindle.
The Sulpicio Lines had announced that it will refloat the capsized ferry to
recover the bloated bodies and the chemical shipments.
The government said the refloating process may take up to three months
although the shipping company had recently said that it may take as long as
six months. The refloating has not started.
http://www.worldpress.org/feed.cfm?http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0611/breaking2.htm
Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 13:12
Fishermen end blockade ahead of Smith meeting
Darina Daly
The blockade at Cork Port ended this morning after the Minister for
Agriculture and Fisheries agreed to meet with the Federation of Irish
Fishermen (FIF) to discuss the crisis on Friday.
The commercial manager for Cork Port, Mr Michael McCarthy, said movement in
and out of the port was returning to normal after significant delays
overnight.
Mr McCarthy said the fishing fleet had been given permission to tie up in
the city ahead of Friday's meeting, but he warned that any further attempts
to blockade the port would result in legal action.
Earlier, a spokesman for the southwest fleet, Ebbie Sheehan, told The Irish
Times the blockade had been "temporarily suspended" pending the outcome of
Friday's meeting with Minister Brendan Smith.
Mr Sheehan said there were plans to begin a hunger strike outside the
Department of Fisheries in Clonakilty on Friday morning.
Mr McCarthy said the blockade had cost hundreds of thousands of euro and the
blockade had had a serious impact on industry in the region. A crude oil
tanker that had been prevented from coming into the Port last night is due
to berth later this evening.
Labour’s spokesperson on the Marine, Senator Michael McCarthy has welcomed
Mr Smith’s decision to meet with the FIF.
Speaking at today’s protest by fishermen outside the offices of the Sea
Fisheries Protection Authority in Clonakilty, Senator McCarthy called on the
Minister to take pro-active action in assisting the industry.
“The Minister must come to realise that these fishermen have nothing to
lose. Many are on the brink of bankruptcy,” he said. Mr McCarthy also called
for an urgent meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture,
Fisheries & Food to discuss the crisis.
Fine Gael’s Fisheries spokesman Michael Creed also welcomed Friday’s
meeting, but warned that the time had come for action and not words to save
the fishing industry from ruin.
Up to 70 vessels blocked the entrance to Cork harbour last night in the
protest over rising fuel prices and cheap imports.
The FIF claims 50 to 70 per cent of a trawler’s turnover is being spent on
fuel. It wants fleets to be paid not to go to sea as part of a temporary
rota-based system regulating commercial fishing as fuel costs soar.
The organisation also wants stricter controls on traceability so consumers
can see where the fish they are buying was caught.
The action is not being endorsed officially by FIF, representatives of the
four main industry organisations, and it was condemned last nightas
“unhelpful” by the Irish Association of Seafood Producers. The FIF renewed
its call for temporary tie-up aid while the price of fuel is so high, and
for a ban on illegal, unregulated and unreported products entering the EU.
http://novanewsnow.com/article-226473-Lobster-fishermen-continuing-their-protest-against-scallop-draggers.html
Lobster fishermen continuing their protest against scallop draggers
by Tina Comeau/The Vanguard
View all articles from Tina Comeau/The Vanguard
Article online since June 25th 2008, 13:17
Lobster fishermen continue to stage a protest against scallop draggers.
Carla Allen photo
Some Shelburne County, N.S. lobster fishermen are continuing to stage a
protest against scallop draggers fishing the area. The lobster fishermen,
who have been gathering on the Barrington side of the causeway,
claim the draggers are causing damage to lobsters on the ocean floor.
This past year the fishermen say there was damage to their lobsters, which
they claim was caused by scallop rakes being dragged over lobsters. DFO
scientists have studied the damage but have concluded that the majority of
damage was caused by a storm that passed through the area a year ago.
The lobster fishermen don’t believe that and want the scallop fishermen out
of the lobster fishing grounds. They started their protest last Friday.
The scallop season opened this past Monday.
On Wednesday the protesters shared photos of damaged lobsters with Nova
Scotia Fisheries Minister Ron Chisholm.
Meanwhile, in response to a letter that the Municipality of Barrington sent
to federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn requesting that the minister meet
with representatives of local lobster fishermen on the scallop issue, Hearn
said he won’t be meeting with the lobster fishermen.
“The interactions between various gear sectors and their potential impacts
on halibut and other bycatch or incidental mortalities is always a concern,”
Hearn stated in the letter. “As there are well-established advisory bodies
currently in place in both the scallop and lobster sectors in your area, and
both interests are well represented, I would expect this forum should best
serve the interests of both groups.”
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/05/18/crab-protest.html?ref=rss
N.S. lobster fishermen end blockade of N.B. crab boats
Last Updated: Sunday, May 18, 2008 | 3:24 PM AT Comments10Recommend19
CBC News
Lobster fisherman from Inverness, N.S., who have been fighting for a share
of the crab quota, untied their boats and removed a blockade on Sunday that
had been preventing New Brunswick crabbers from leaving the local harbour to
set traps.
Fishermen in the area are upset that New Brunswick crab boats are allowed to
fish for crab in local waters while Nova Scotia boats are excluded.
To drive home their point, they barricaded the mouth of the Inverness
harbour, on the west side of Cape Breton, with their boats last Thursday to
prevent the New Brunswick fishermen from heading out.
Local organizer Lawrence MacLellan said about 200 people came out to support
the demonstration earlier on Sunday.
After meeting Saturday night with Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald,
organizers of the blockade said they feel confident they'll get some kind of
crab quota next year.
"New Brunswick fishermen have been very co-operative," MacLellan said. "They
haven't challenged us or anything like that, so there was no violence. I
think there's going to be a good result here."
The fishermen who organized the blockade plan to discuss the possibility of
obtaining crab permits during a meeting Tuesday with officials from the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-06/05/content_8315089.htm
Argentine truck drivers strike to protest lack of work opportunities
BUENOS AIRES, June 4 (Xinhua) - The president of the Argentine
Transporters' Federation Miguel Angel Betili convoked a strike Wednesday to
protest the unsolved conflict between the government and the country's
agricultural-livestock businessmen.
The truck drivers were "tired after 90 days without being able to work,"
Betili told a press conference.
"We don't have money, (and) we're in big trouble," he said.
"I want to clarify that the federation isn't against the government, we
are in favor to work," Betili said.
The truck drivers' strike is set to worsen the already-troubled
situation as three months have passed since agriculture and livestock
entrepreneurs staged a protest triggered by the government's increase of
export taxes from 34 percent to 44 percent.
http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-06/04/content_8311059.htm
Bolivia's truck drivers strike to protest tax adjustment
LIMA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Truck drivers in five departments of Bolivia
began a 48-hour strike early Tuesday in protest against the government's
modification of cargo transportation taxes, according to news reaching here
from La Paz.
The drivers' demands include the restoration of the original tax system,
the resignation of Finance Minister Luis Arce and the dismissal of Patricia
Ballivian, president of the Bolivian Highways Administration.
A truck drivers' union leader criticized recent government measures as
being the source of social conflict.
The drivers have threatened more strikes and indefinite blockades if the
government fails to meet their demands.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/11/europe/EU-GEN-Poland-Truckers-Protest.php
Polish truckers wage brief strike to protest planned rise in highway tolls
The Associated Press
Published: June 11, 2008
WARSAW, Poland: Tens of thousands of Polish truck drivers have staged a
one-hour strike to protest government plans to raise highway tolls.
The truckers say the plan to replace Poland's yearly flat fee for highway
access with a scheme to charge per mile (kilometer) would add to the pain of
rising fuel prices.
Protest organizer Jan Buczek says more than 100,000 drivers parked their
trucks along roads and in parking lots throughout the country on Wednesday.
He says rising fuel costs and inflation are hurting the trucking industry.
The strong Polish currency is also hurting some Polish exporters.
The truck drivers say they will continue protest actions until Prime
Minister Donald Tusk's government acts on their concerns.
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=239590
Turkish Truck Drivers Protest Bulgaria Over High Shipping Fees
Published: 7/3/2008
EDIRNE - More than 500 Turkish truck drivers stopped their engines at
Kapikule border gate inside Turkey for 6 hours on Tuesday to protest
Bulgaria that started to charge 271 USD of shipping fee per vehicle for
crossing the border.
The cost of this fee for Turkish carriers was about 100 million USD a year,
International Transporters` Association (UND) said.
"However, its impact on the sector would be much more," UND chairman Tamer
Dincsahin told reporters.
He said Turkish transporters faced unfair competition practices and these
practices could lead to a chain reaction.
"Industrial enterprises could be closed down, Turkey could have difficulties
in drawing investments and finally employment could be affected," Dincsahin
said.
UND-member shipping companies, with 45,000 vehicles, have 5 billion USD of
investments, employ 400,000 people and carry 53 percent of Turkish exports,
Dincsahin said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/29/2317952.htm
Agendas clash in rival truckie protest groups
Posted Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:19pm AEST
Map: Brisbane 4000
Rival truck drivers' groups say there is confusion and division in their
protest ranks.
A convoy of trucks drove through Brisbane yesterday to draw attention to
fuel prices and freight rates.
National Road Transport Forum spokesperson Mick Pattel says the noisy
protest got most of the attention, while his group has organised a shutdown
on other issues.
He says they do not have the same agenda.
"Absolutely definitely not. This is where the whole thing is getting
confused," he said.
"I honestly believe someone is paying these people to derail the whole
process, because we're not attacking freight rates and we're certainly not
attacking fuel prices. What we are attacking are reforms that the Government
is putting in place.
"These demerit points on drivers licences for log book breaches is a massive
problem right across this country and it's the one thing that's brought this
shutdown about."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/noisy-protest-tours-brisbanes-cbd/2008/07/28/1217097101006.html
Noisy protest tours Brisbane's CBD
Marissa Calligeros | July 28, 2008 - 12:34PM
More than 40 semi-trailers bearing the blue flag of the Eureka Stockade have
rumbled through Brisbane's CBD, grinding traffic to a halt, in protest
against rising fuel prices and the government's driver log book system.
Although the convoy of 43 trucks and 13 cars passed through the city
smoothly, their "go slow" drive jammed traffic in William Street and on the
Riverside Expressway.
Organised by factional groups - the Australian Long Distance Owners and
Drivers Association (ALDODA) and the National Road Transport Forum (NRTF) -
the protest began with drivers leaving the Rocklea Transport Depot off the
Ipswich Motorway at Archerfield just after 11am, before being joined by
fellow drivers who were congregated at the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea.
As the drivers blared their truck horns to signal the beginning of the "go
slow", ALDODA's president Lyn Bennetts said she was encouraged by Brisbane
truckies' strong support.
"This is a very good turn-out," Ms Bennetts said.
"I am so glad to see so many trucks...this is excellent, fantastic."
The blaring horns resounded loudest as the drivers reached the CBD; their
noisy case winning support from many among crowds of city workers who turned
out to watch the spectacle.
Drivers finally demonstrated their anger toward large transport companies
who they claim are refusing to pass on fuel levies to drivers, despite a 50
per cent increase in fuel bills in 12 months.
"Enough is enough," 35-year-old driver Adrian Staats said.
"Finally these boys have come together to demonstrate that companies are
getting big money, but we get nothing."
New laws formalised last year to combat driver fatigue and road fatalities
make it mandatory for truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest-stop every five
hours, however there have been more than 350 industry deaths in the past
year.
"The laws aren't working," Mr Staats said.
Looping the city twice, the semi-trailers - with police escorts - drove
along Wharf Street, into Eagle Street, Mary Street then onto Edward Street.
The convoy also entered George Street, Elizabeth Street, Eagle Street, Mary
Street, Edward Street, and Alice Street before departing on the South-East
Freeway.
The drivers are now making their way back to Rocklea.
Today's protest drew ire from the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA)
however.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Peter Garske said the work stoppage was
"senseless", arguing it would bring further financial hardship to those who
could least afford it.
"QTA Ltd has received a significant number of calls, not only from its
members but from small operators including owner drivers from across the
state, expressing concern at the actions of the leaders of the Australian
Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association and the National
Road Transport Forum," Mr Garske said.
"Notwithstanding the efforts of government to educate these so called
industry leaders, their failure to respond and their continuing efforts to
disrupt traffic on our roads is to be condemned.
"Our industry requires community confidence in our ability to undertake our
important contribution to the economy in a safe manner.
"Holding the Queensland public, their fellow operators and government to
ransom is extreme and irresponsible. Much more will be achieved by working
with government rather than working against government."
Nevertheless, Ms Bennetts today vowed to continue the fight for better pay
rates and fairer laws.
"It's time...time for a change that will relieve truckies and their families
from financial hardship," Ms Bennetts said.
"We just want a fair go."
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/8/nation/20080708141156&sec=nation
Tuesday July 8, 2008 MYT 2:59:14 PM
Drivers protest seizure of lorries
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
JOHOR BARU: About 62 lorry drivers and operators held a peaceful
demonstration near the Johor Baru (South) Traffic headquarters protesting
the seizure of lorries by the traffic police.
The lorries were seized for overloading but the operators claimed that they
had followed the regulation set by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Johor Lorry Operator's Association president Leow Hock Tiap said that a
total of 10 lorries, carrying sand, were seized by traffic police on Monday
night for an alleged overloading offence.
"We complied with JPJ's ruling on the right amount of load that can be
transported.
About 60 lorry drivers and operators held a peaceful demonstration near the
Johor Baru (South) Traffic headquarters protesting the seizing of lorries by
the traffic police.
"However, the traffic police seized the lorries instead," he said, adding
that there was no coordination between the two government agencies.
Leow explained that the seized lorries have caused a loss of about RM1,000
per lorry.
"We appeal to the police to review the matter," he said Tuesday after the
demonstration here.
The association's adviser Datuk Poniran Sumardi hoped that both agencies
could streamline their laws to avoid such confusion in the future.
"All our 25-tonne lorries carried appropriate loads of sand.
"The lorries have even been inspected by Puspakom," he said.
Johor Traffic chief Supt T. Raveendran said that the lorries have been sent
to JPJ for inspection.
"JPJ will weigh the load of the lorries.
"If they do not exceed the weight limit, then no action will be taken
against them," he said.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=92902
Driving Instructors to Block Sofia Center in Protest against New Regulations
8 May 2008, Thursday
Bulgaria: Driving instructors from all over the country threatened to block
the center of Bulgaria's capital on Thursday in protest against newly
adopted laws that are believed to aim at imposing monopoly of the branch.
Professionals from the cities of Varna, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, etc.
are to enter Sofia by their training cars, the rally's organizer Georgi
Ilinov said.
"Sofia Municipality allowed only 30 vehicles to be driven into the city but
there will be many more," he explained.
The instructors demanded that the government should cancel two of the
regulations, adopted by the Transport Ministry in January that provide for
launching innovations in the sphere, including the development of multimedia
training methods.
The professionals however claim the new rules could lead to closing of 3,000
driving schools across the country.
The instructors claim such regulations aim at defending the corporative
interests of some big companies and elimination of rivalry.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLTBY7H5CclMQqo4W3rxqSgSeWFg
Vietnam motor-cyclo drivers protest vehicle ban
Jun 23, 2008
HANOI (AFP) — More than 100 drivers of three-wheeled motor cyclos, many of
them invalid veterans of the 'American war,' Monday protested against a
looming ban of their vehicles in communist Vietnam's cities.
The men in Hanoi said a government prohibition from July 1 of the modified
motorcycles -- which are now commonly hired to transport bulky goods through
traffic-choked urban streets -- will deprive them of their livelihoods.
"We laid wreaths at the war martyrs' monument this morning," said Le Thanh
Tam, 59, a driver supplementing a 60-dollar state war pension he receives
after losing his left leg in a southern battlefield in 1969.
"I've had this vehicle for four years, helping people transport furniture
when they move house. I earn 50,000 to 100,000 dong (2.9 to 5.8 dollars) a
day. My wife and two children are unemployed ... How can we live now?"
Police kept a close eye on the drivers -- many of whom were dressed in olive
army garb and soldiers' pith helmets -- and who had parked their vehicles in
a row on the edge of a busy street outside a Hanoi government office.
"We need them (the government) to create new jobs for us, or to allow us to
keep the vehicles and to register them," Tam told AFP.
Authorities in Hanoi and the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City
have announced a July 1 ban on all modified three- and four-wheeled
vehicles, aiming to reduce traffic jams, air pollution and road accidents.
Hanoi has about 2,000 of the three-wheelers, according to traffic police
figures quoted by the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper, and Ho Chi Minh City has
over 20,000, the Thanh Nien (Young People) daily reported.
Authorities in Hanoi also plan to ban from July 1 the city's street
vendors -- mostly rural workers who now hawk produce and consumer goods on
foot or bicyle -- from almost 100 major streets and public places.
Both bans were announced early this year but delayed amid public criticism.
http://www.fijilive.com/news_new/index.php/news/show_news/6380
Fiji water bottlers protest increased duty
04/07/2008
Ten bottlers of Fiji-manufactured artesian water have collectively agreed to
cease production immediately until the “extraordinary attack” against the
bottled water industry is resolved.
In a joint statement following its meeting in Suva this afternoon, the
bottled water-exporting companies said the decision to impose an increased
duty on this export commodity would prove unprofitable for the industry.
The statement was signed by Warwick Pleass of Pleass Beverage in Walu Bay,
Suva; David Roth of Fiji Water; Anup Patel of Flour Mills of Fiji’s VTY;
Steve Johnson of Mr Pure; Jai Dayal of Island Chill; Mohammed Altaf of Aqua
Pacific; Mohammed Nafiz of Diamond Aqua; Jilyin Wong of Tapoos Beverage; Sam
Ahmed of Fresh Spring Limited; and Ritesh Naidu of Mineral Waters of Fiji.
Fiji’s Cabinet yesterday approved to impose a 20 cents/litre export duty on
all Fiji’s mineral water exports and a 20 cents/litre excise duty on mineral
water sold for domestic consumption.
Interim Minister for Finance, National Planning, Sugar Industry and Public
Utilities (Water & Energy) submitted to Cabinet that the major reason for
the new duties was to stimulate conservation of Fiji’s scarce natural
resources.
“Mineral water is a scare resource which will deplete and a fair share of
returns has to be passed on to the nation,” Chaudhry said in his submission.
Chaudhry could not be reached on his mobile this afternoon when contacted
for comments following the bottlers’ decision to immediately cease
production.
The statement said that by way of comparison, the carbonated soft drink
industry in Fiji was only subjected to a $0.03 cents per litre excise tax
and no export duty.
It further stated that the scheme put forward by the Finance Ministry
created a tax of $0.20 per litre.
“The proposed action will weaken the Fiji bottled water industry’s ability
to compete in markets around the world, where our competitors typically
enjoy support – not taxes – from their local governments,” the company
representatives said.
“This will inevitably lead to a reduction in much-needed export revenue from
our industry,” they said.
“The new tax structure makes it highly unprofitable for our industry to
bottle water and therefore, our immediate action is to cease production
until we can resolve this extraordinary attack against the bottled water
industry.”
The bottlers said they were concerned that the finance ministry was again
taking “exceptionally poor advice to levy onerous excise and export duties
on bottled water in a misguided effort to reduce the country’s budget
shortfall and to supposedly protect water resources in Fiji”.
“For example, the water from our sources is a completely renewable resource
that is constantly replenished by abundant rainfall each year. Moreover,
the very livelihoods of our companies rely on the health and well being of
our water sources. This ensures that the nation of Fiji will benefit from
our sources for generations to come.”
The statement said with respect to the unreasonable excise and export duties
on all bottled water in Fiji, “to the best of our knowledge there is no
precedent in the world for a product in the water industry to be slapped
with this kind of an export duty”.
“In fact, most every other nation actively encourages exports of this kind
with generous incentives.”
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070552890300.htm
Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool
Barbers stage protest
KURNOOL: Nayi Brahmins closed shops in the city on Friday to protest against
ransacking of a shop on Thursday during VHP bandh. The leaders lodged a
complaint with the police saying that a group of VHP supporters led by
Kapileswaraiah carried out the attack. -Special Correspondent
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/292177138575795.php
Angry bus drivers cancel protest
By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter, ianthia at nasguard.com
Angry contractual bus drivers were reportedly threatened with having their
livelihoods taken away from them, after petitioning for a bus fare increase
on Tuesday.
The 70-plus strong group of independent bus drivers were set to march again
outside the House of Assembly. But according to Nicholas Jacques, advisor to
the drivers, after Tuesday's demonstration at R.M. Bailey Park, members of
the Public Transit Association of The Bahamas (PTAB) and the United
Transportation Company (UTC), the drivers' bosses, warned them that if they
carried out any more actions, they would lose their jobs. This threat forced
dozens of the bus drivers to back out of yesterday's protest in Parliament
Square.
"The reason a lot of them didn't show up this morning is because their
bosses told them not to demonstrate today," Jacques said. "Otherwise they
(the bus owners) would take the buses away from them. These guys were
threatened by their bosses so some of them decided not to come out today.
And because their bosses are members of PTAB and UTC and they own these
buses they could threaten to take them back and that's why some drivers
didn't show up this morning."
Over 70 "upset and unhappy" drivers staged a demonstration at the R.M.
Bailey Park early Tuesday morning, in a bid to intensify their cries for the
$1 bus fare to be hiked to $2 for adults. They complained that in the wake
of escalating gas prices, the $1 bus fee that has been in effect since 2000
is simply not working anymore. They are now fighting for the government to
give them the go ahead to charge the riding public $2 for a bus ride.
Jacques said he is now advising the men to take another route to get what
they want. He said since the bus owners are opposed to the demonstrations
and marches, they should have no problem with having a meeting to clear the
air. Jacques said he is now on a mission to arrange "a meeting of the
minds," where leaders of the two organizations finally sit down and listen
to their employees' cries.
But PTAB President Reuben Rahming said while he agrees that the bus fare
needs an increase, the drivers need to be patient. He said he is willing to
meet with the complainants adding that he simply would not allow himself to
be bombarded by the angry drivers.
"If anybody wants to meet we have office space to hold up to 60-plus
people," Rahming said. "They don't need Mr Jacques. I have an open door
policy and anybody who's willing to make the time, I will make the time for
them. They can come to me individually and speak so if anybody cares about
themselves and the industry they are always welcomed to come to the office,
but I will not meet with any group based on a pre-defined definition that
carries such a negative connotation. If anyone wants to come and meet we are
happy."
Rahming added that while he did not directly advise PTAB members to threaten
their employees, he said he could see just why they did it. Rahming
explained that since the drivers who picketed yesterday don't own the buses,
their actions could have had dire effects for the franchises they
represented.
"How dare he (Jacques) even encourage such an action and don't consult,"
Rahming said. "So that's not just any strike, it's a strike against the
owners of the vehicles so of course they should be upset. These people are
putting their franchises at risk."
Jacques said as former president of Bahamas Omnibus Owners Association
(BOOA) he knows the importance of unity and is now advising the irate bus
drivers to let calmer heads prevail. But in the meantime, they will not stop
their fight.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/15/stories/2008081550950300.htm
Kerala - Kozhikode
Travel agents’ protest
Kozhikode: The IATA Agents Association has asked airline companies including
Air India to back off from their decision to cut down on the travel agencies’
commission for tickets.Travel agencies across the country downed shutters on
Thursday in protest against the decision. —Staff Reporter
http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=1282474
Travel agents shut down offices in protest
Thursday, August 14, 2008
T'PURAM, Kerala: Travel agents recognised by IATA in the state today shut
down their offices as part of the nationwide protest against the airline
companies' decision to stop their five per cent commission on ticket
booking.
According to travel trade sources, the strike was total across the state as
all the IATA-recognised agents joined the one-day protest.
The airline companies had decided to stop the five per cent commission for
agents from November, sources said.
The Kerala Travel and Tourism Co-ordination Forum had extended support to
the protest.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/24/stories/2008082450920200.htm
Kerala - Kozhikode
Travel agents to take out protest march
Special correspondent
KOZHIKODE: Stepping up their agitation against the move to cancel commission
on sale of tickets for air travel, employees in travel and tourism sectors
in North Kerala would take out a march to the office of Air India in
Kozhikode on Tuesday.
The show of protest under the banner of IATA Agents Association is backed by
tour operators and passport agencies. Travel agencies would also keep their
offices closed till noon that day.
The protest march to Air India office would begin from Indoor Stadium at
8.30 am and reach Air India office by 10 a.m., a spokesman for the
association said.
The IATA Agents Association has warned the move to cancel their commission
had emerged as a major threat to the nearly five lakh employees working for
travel agencies.
While appealing to the government to drop the move, travel agents had also
warned it would slow down growth of tourism sector which in turn would lead
to decline in revenue to government coffers.
Passengers would also have to pay more tickets, if the commission was
withdrawn, a spokesman for travel agents said. He said most travel agents
usually sold tickets at concessional rates, passing on a portion of their
commission to the passenger.
Once commission was withdrawn by airlines, passengers would in effect have
to pay more for tickets since travel agents would not be able to offer any
discount on air tickets, he said.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081252970300.htm
Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad
A novel form of protest
Staff Correspondent
HUBLI: Visitors to the head office of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal
Corporation on Monday were surprised to see “Yama Dharmaraja” at the
entrance.
However, they were amused when they came to know that it was theatre artiste
S.R. Kampli who had dressed up as “Yama Dharmaraja” to highlight the
problems of such artistes and the “apathy” of the officialdom.
However, he had to wait for an hour to convey his grievances to the HDMC
Commissioner as he was in a meeting with the council members. Mr. Kampli’s
grievance was that the theatre artistes who had staged a street play to
create awareness on Pulse Polio in 1997 had not yet been paid the
remuneration of Rs. 9,750.
‘No action’
Although he had given memorandums to successive commissioners no action had
been taken so far, he alleged.
His other grievance was that although he was allotted a site under the
artistes’ quota at Ward No. 38 in Hubli in 1987, till date he was unable to
construct a house there in spite of having the sale deed in his name, as a
woman, Manjula Raikar, was objecting to it. The corporation officials
maintained that the court had issued a stay on it and he (Mr. Kampli) had to
wait for some more time, he said.
Mr. Kampli also said that the corporation officials had failed to protect a
site meant for a garden from being encroached, in spite of the issue being
brought to their notice.
Promise
After receiving the memorandum submitted by Mr. Kampli, Commissioner Ajay
Nagabhushan assured him that he would look into the issue and take action.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/10/stories/2008081052000300.htm
Kerala - Kattappana
Protest meet
KATTAPPANA: Kerala Co-Operative Employees Union will hold a dharna in front
of the Head Post Office near here on August 12 demanding measures to protect
agricultural co-operative banks and waiving of all agricultural loans taken
by farmers. They want a compensation for interest lost by banks on waving
farm loans to farmers. — A Correspondent
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082352620300.htm
Tamil Nadu - Salem
Doctors, lawyers protest
Staff Reporter
SALEM: Members of Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association staged a
demonstration here on Thursday protesting against the State Government for
transferring few doctors from Salem Government Medical College Hospital to
the newly established Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital.
Also, lawyers in Salem boycotted the court proceedings on Friday protesting
against the police for allegedly registering a false case against an
advocate based in Sankagiri. They claimed the police foisted a case against
lawyer Kandasamy and wanted the State Government to withdraw the case
against the lawyer.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-17-voa28.cfm?rss=war
Pakistani Investors Riot as Stocks Plunge
By VOA News
17 July 2008
Hundreds of Pakistani investors rioted at the Karachi Stock Exchange
Thursday demanding a halt in trading after share prices fell for the 15th
straight session.
The exchange's security chief Mohammed Aslam said investors began smashing
windows after the administration declined to suspend trading.
Similar protests also broke out in Lahore, where investors burned tires and
blocked roads.
The Karachi Stock Exchange index has fallen 14 percent since Monday. Angry
investors blamed the government for the recent volatility, after regulators
relaxed curbs on daily stock price movements.
Persistent concerns about economic and political instability have also
contributed to a decline in Pakistani stocks.
http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/3a8a80d6f705f8cc/id/377608/cs/1/
Dutch airline workers in tax protest
India Gazette
Wednesday 2nd July, 2008
Dutch airline company workers have demonstrated in Amsterdam against a newly
implemented flight tax.
The green tax will see passengers paying an extra eleven euros for short
flights and an extra 45 euros on long flights.
Airline personnel fear that passengers will avoid flying from the
Netherlands and will use airports in neighbouring Belgium or Germany.
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