Polish people are starting the fourth week of protests on the border with . The strikers are calling for a return to the system of permits for trucks from this country to enter the country, and from Kiev they are counting on unblocking the queues for empty cars with Community numbers so that they do not have to wait several days to leave. They also demand a ban on the registration of transport companies with eastern capital that were established after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and their inspection.
Carriers’ protest. More border crossings to be blocked soon?
Carriers are blocking border crossings in the Lublin Voivodeship – in Dorohusk and Hrebenne, and in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship – in Korczowa and Medyka. In this second location in Podkarpacie, they are supported by farmers. Many kilometers of queues have formed on both sides of the border, and customs clearance takes several days. However, carriers are ready to intensify their protest at any time and block further crossings – in Niżankowice and Zosin. Everything here depends on whether the Polish and Ukrainian governments reach an agreement.
Carriers pass three commercial trucks per hour to Ukraine. However, on an ongoing basis, they allow the passage of fuel tankers, vehicles carrying humanitarian aid, perishable food, military and hazardous materials. Passenger cars also pass by. The protesters emphasize that they support and support Ukraine in the war with Russia, but they are fighting for their own survival.
Blockade of border crossings. What do carriers demand?
Carriers demand the return of licenses for Ukrainian transport companies. The road agreement concluded between the European Union and Ukraine eliminates the need for Ukrainians to obtain such permits for bilateral and transit transport – it is to be valid until the end of June. Carriers want this to apply only to humanitarian and military transports. Their number is to return to the level before the Russian invasion – 200,000 a year.
In addition, they demand that the Ukrainian side clear the queue for empty cars with EU numbers by creating dedicated corridors and a “live” queue. Currently, empty trucks wait 10-12 days to leave.
According to the Polish Minister of Infrastructure, Andrzej Adamczyk, the reason for the protests is the EU. The protesters emphasize that the suspension by the European Union of the regulations that previously obliged Ukrainian carriers to obtain permits to enter Poland means that Polish carriers are discriminated against, and the market situation has become dangerous for carriers from our part of Europe. They are unable to compete with Ukrainians, who have lower labor costs and have to meet fewer administrative requirements.
Carriers assure that after reaching a compromise, they will abandon the blockade of border crossings. On December 4, at the meeting of the Council of the European Union dealing with transport in the EU, the issue of permits for companies from Ukraine will be discussed. The Polish government assures that for several weeks it has been building a coalition of countries for which this issue is important. Slovaks and Hungarians, who are also protesting, may be allies. A dozen or so days ago, the heads of transport organizations from five countries – Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania, issued a statement addressed to the EU authorities and the transport ministers of these countries regarding their situation.
Source: Gazeta
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