Hundreds of transport workers in the Philippines' capital Manila have gone on strike over rising fuel costs. Diesel and petrol prices have more than doubled since the Iran war broke out on 28 February, leading the Philippines into a national energy emergency. 62-year-old driver Guillermo Japole expressed desperation, stating he had no food for his five children and hadn't received government cash aid. As protests commenced, a ship carrying over 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil arrived in the country. Yet, despite these measures, many drivers remain without support, leading to demands for changes in policies such as scrapping fuel taxes, increasing wages, and raising fares. Commuters are feeling the impact of the strike in one of Asia's most congested cities, where waiting times for public transport are growing. The government, having declared a national energy emergency, has also offered temporary financial relief measures and promised to seek new oil sources to stabilize supply. Critics argue that the government's response has been insufficient, with some labor coalitions highlighting the inadequacies in addressing the ongoing crisis.
Philippines Transport Workers Demand Action Amid Soaring Fuel Costs
Philippines Transport Workers Demand Action Amid Soaring Fuel Costs
In a dramatic two-day strike, transport workers across Manila protest against skyrocketing fuel prices that have doubled since the onset of the Iran war, calling for urgent government action.
Amid rising fuel costs that have more than doubled since the start of the Iran war, transport workers in Manila have launched a strike demanding government intervention. The strike has seen hundreds of workers, including jeepney and ride-hailing drivers, rallying for fare increases, higher wages, and the removal of fuel taxes. As the government responds with a national energy emergency, the situation presents a stark picture of how conflicts abroad affect local economies and livelihoods.
