The Transportation Workers Union Threatens Escalation if the Drivers' Crisis in Nablus Is Not Resolved

SadaNews - The General Union of Transportation Workers in Palestine issued a statement on Tuesday evening regarding the realities faced by drivers in Nablus Governorate and the circumstances they encountered during the war, which included the fragmentation of cities, villages, and camps, as well as intensified checkpoints. This has resulted in harsh economic and living burdens that weigh heavily on drivers across the West Bank.

The union explained in its statement that it has engaged in dialogue with the Nablus Municipality regarding the accumulated debts owed by drivers, which arose as a result of these exceptional circumstances. The union put forth a clear proposal to arrange installment payments for the accumulated financial amounts, taking into consideration the circumstances of the drivers and enabling them to continue their work.

It pointed out that it faced clear obstinacy during the discussions with the Nablus Municipality, despite the deductions and facilities granted to all governorates that the municipality did not comply with, contrary to what was issued by the Ministry of Local Government.

The union emphasized that the Nablus Municipality does not adhere to the conditions of the parking regulations as stipulated in Law No. (3) of 2017 and its amendments. Nevertheless, drivers have committed to paying the required parking fees for many years, without receiving any of the services outlined in the regulations, which are a legal right guaranteed to drivers, as stated in its announcement.

It added: And today, after all this suffering, the Nablus Municipality insists on not cooperating in the installment of financial amounts, which prevents drivers from licensing their vehicles and continuing to provide service to our people, according to the text of the statement.

The union warned the Ministry of Transportation and Communications against not licensing the vehicles on the pretext of not having the commitment paper issued by the municipality, affirming that this paper, according to the regulations and law, is an administrative commitment for the operation of the vehicle according to the instructions of the Ministry of Transportation, not a financial commitment. In case of any financial dispute, the law grants the municipality the right to resort to the judiciary, and not to halt the licensing of vehicles, as mentioned in the statement.

The union demanded that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications comply with the law and work on licensing the vehicles whose licenses have expired, asserting that the municipality and the Ministry of Transportation bear full legal and moral responsibility for any incident or damage that may occur to drivers as a result of their vehicles not being licensed.

It stated: If these rightful demands are not met, the union will announce legal and syndical escalation steps to achieve rights and enforce the law.

The General Union of Transportation Workers in Palestine reiterated its full confidence in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to achieve justice for the drivers who have suffered injustice for many years, without receiving any type of service from the Nablus Municipality.