Italian taxi drivers protest rising fuel costs, threaten strike

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Italian taxi and private hire drivers staged a protest outside the Transport Ministry in Rome on Monday over soaring fuel prices, warning that demonstrations could escalate into a strike, according to ANSA news agency.

Taxi associations It Taxi, Uritaxi and Unicoop, joined by private hire operators from Unitrav, organized the demonstration, with no service disruptions reported so far, while other unions planned a major gathering in Florence on Tuesday.

The protesters are demanding greater tax relief, including the restoration of tax credits that have progressively been reduced.

Carlo di Alessandro of Federtaxi Cisal said operating costs had increased by 25% to 30% since the crisis began, stressing that a strike remained among the options under consideration.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and Deputy Minister Edoardo Rixi are scheduled to meet representatives of the road freight sector Tuesday to discuss structural challenges following the government's allocation of €105 million (more than $127 million) in emergency support last week.

Italy has also joined the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia in seeking European Union approval to extend temporary agricultural assistance to cover rising fuel costs for farmers.

The proposal is expected to be presented at Tuesday's EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting.

Beyza Binnur Dönmez