All India Transport Workers Association (AITWA) and All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have planned to go on an indefinite all India strike with effect from today, 05 January 2009. This strike notice is not coming as good news for the year 2009.

The transporters claim that the Government of India has not addressed their various demands as promised and is not settling the pending issues of the transport industry, put forward by them in the past. So the associations have decided to take this extreme step.

The strike was planned earlier on December 20, 2008 – but was deferred due to the Mumbai terror strikes. Now the transport Association feels that their time has worn out.

Major demands of the transporters include a bail out package for their industry like the ones offered by the Government of India to exporters and the textile industry. The association is demanding an INR. 10.00 per litre cut in diesel prices and a 35% reduction in the price of tyres.

If the strike is not called off – the situation is expected to greatly hinder the movement of vehicles / trailers and therefore export and import trade at all ports and airports.

We will be monitoring the situation closely and will be sending out regular updates.

Please do keep your customers informed of the strike and its wider implications.