Transport strike causes concern to Pakistan leather sector
Workers involved in moving goods around Pakistan began a nationwide strike on August 8 and talks with representatives of the government have, so far, yielded no solution.
Transport workers’ organisations are asking for an increase in the upper limit of the loads trucks are permitted to carry, help with the cost of fuel and a reduction in road toll fees.
Concerned about the impact on the country’s leather sector, the chairman of the Pakistan Tanners’ Association (PTA), Hamid Zahur, has written to commerce minister, Jam Jamal Khan, pointing out that the strike poses a significant threat to member companies.
PTA described the leather sector as a key export-oriented industry, and pointed out that it was already experiencing “major difficulties” before the transport strike.
But it said the strike would make it even more difficult to secure and fulfil export orders and meet commitments to international buyers. Mr Zahur urged the minister to find a prompt solution “to prevent further damage to our export activities and industry”.
