HAITI-STRIKE Haiti's transport workers strike for lower gas prices

Record ID: 341958

  • Title: HAITI-STRIKE Haiti's transport workers strike for lower gas prices
  • Date: 2nd February 2015
  • Summary: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (FEBRUARY 2, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AND TRAFFIC ON STREETS VARIOUS OF EMPTY STREET WITH TIRES BURNING PEOPLE IN THE STREET DURING STRIKE TRAFFIC VARIOUS OF STRANDED COMMUTERS TRAFFIC TIRES BURNING FIRE TRUCK PASSING TIRES BURNING MOTORCYCLES AT GAS STATION GAS PUMP VARIOUS OF TIRES BURNING (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) TAXI DRIVER, JEAN PAUL, SAYING: "Next to us, in the Dominican Republic, things are much better and here in Haiti, nothing can be done. It's time for a change." PEOPLE IN STREET VARIOUS OF TIRES READY FOR BURNING
  • Embargoed: 17th February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Haiti
  • Country: Haiti
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC7OKX6S318YICNO7WBOZEUGC0
  • Story Text: The streets of Port-au-Prince were a little less congested on Monday (February 2) as public transport workers began a two-day nationwide strike to demand a cut in gas prices.
    According to transport unions, Haiti has not benefited from a global drop in oil prices. Despite plummeting fuel costs throughout the world, Haitian public transport workers say that gas costs continue to run at approximately $5 US (4.41 euro) per gallon throughout the country.
    The government reduced prices by roughly three cents last week, but unions want to see larger cuts. The President of the National Association of Drivers (ANC), Duclos Benisoit, said the union was calling for President Michel Martelly to cut prices by $2.18 US (1.92 euro) per gallon.
    The strike comes amid a wave marches and protests calling for Martelly's resignation.
    "Next to us, in the Dominican Republic, things are much better and here in Haiti, nothing can be done. It's time for a change," said cab driver Jean Paul.
    The Haitian government issued a statement saying that the National Police "will take all necessary measures to guarantee security" throughout the duration of the strike.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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