The Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) has said that unless government steps in to resolve the challenges that haulers face, the truck drivers will not see an increased salary.

TAM chairperson Layton Dzombe announced at a news conference, that the truck drivers were justified to hold a strike and their grievances will be considered, but government must address haulers’ challenges before the drivers are taken care of.

Since April this year, players in the fuel haulage business have questioned the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) about the continued dominance of foreigners in the business, who are subduing local firms from profiting. This was addressed at a training workshop organized by Mera, on which members of the parliamentary committee of Natural resources brought up the matter.

Dzombe brought back the matter to the table, stating that Capital Hill has not yet acted on the challenges. “Policies with most Sadc region countries stipulate that 70% of imported goods be carried by local transporters and 30 percent by foreign transporters, but this is not the case currently in Malawi where foreign transporters take up to 80% of the businesses.”

Should the grievances not be considered soon, truck drivers may halt transportation again, which will negatively affect Malawi where filling stations and other businesses are concerned.