Although they are not part of the strike movement or support it, fuel transporters suspended the service in order to protect the safety of their drivers, who have been exposed to long hours of work and with limited access to basic services.
The lack of safety and poor conditions that transporters have faced in the different RECOPE distribution facilities and on the road have exposed us to risks, without any support or protection,”
said Reynaldo Quirós, president of the Energy Sector Transporters Association (Atranse), in a statement sent to the union members.
The recommendation of suspension of service is related to the loading points of La Garita, Ochomogo and Barranca.
The main complaint of the transporters is that the long lines to reach the recharging points and the blockages along the routes, prevents them from resting because they are trapped in the road and must remain alert a lot longer than normal. Otherwise, they may lose their turn or hinder the passage of other vehicles.
They also have limited access to basic services, such as toilets or food, while waiting to advance in the recharging points.
We are a public service and we want the good of our country, but we also want respect and security at work,”
added Quirós.
Ronulfo Araya, a member of Atranse’s board of directors, agreed to the recommendation of the association, believing that fatigue is a variable that increases the risk of suffering an accident, which becomes more relevant because they are transporting fuel.
Araya stated that the lack of basic services makes the wait heavier, because they must remain in vehicles without satisfying their needs and exposed to high temperatures and embarrassment.