Agreement Suspends Transportation Sector Protests in Hebron

Special to "SadaNews" - The General Union of Transport Workers in Palestine confirmed the suspension of all protest steps it had announced earlier in Hebron Governorate, following a comprehensive agreement on all the union's demands after a series of meetings held at the Hebron municipality and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, where an agreement was reached on all the demands submitted by the union.

The union confirmed in a statement that these understandings align with the public interest and the goals of the traffic plan, achieving better organization for the transport sector and contributing to serving both drivers and citizens alike.

The union affirmed its continued follow-up on the implementation of what has been agreed upon, in a manner that serves the public interest and enhances partnership with the relevant authorities.

SadaNews learned that this agreement includes the union's demands related exclusively to Hebron Governorate and does not encompass other items being demanded by the union at the level of the West Bank.

The General Union of Transport Workers in Palestine had previously issued a statement criticizing the new positions approved by the Hebron Governorate in the Bab al-Zawiya area, where vehicles were moved to this location. It noted that the area had proven to be unprepared to serve as parking for public vehicles, failing to accommodate smooth traffic flow that ensures easy entry and exit of vehicles, and that the parking was not ready to receive internal service lines.

Alaa Mayas, the head of the transport union in Palestine, told "SadaNews" that the suspension of escalation relates solely to the union's demands in Hebron Governorate, indicating that an agreement was reached to hold a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Communications soon to discuss all other demands, expressing hope that this dialogue will lead to the public interest and alleviate the burden on public vehicle drivers.

Mayas had previously stated to "SadaNews" that the transport sector was on the brink of collapse, accusing the Palestinian government of leaving the sector alone to face numerous problems without intervention for two full years despite the immense pressure faced by the sector due to declining revenues as a result of war and blockade and its repercussions, warning that if the government does not respond to a number of necessary demands to save the sector, the union will take escalating measures, possibly leading to a shutdown of public transport in the West Bank.

Among the demands being advocated by the union are tax exemptions for drivers, reducing fees for using vehicle complexes affiliated with the municipalities and aligning them with the necessary technical standards and specifications, and halting the operation of private vehicles that operate for hire.