Lorry drivers declare strike alert

The Slovak Hauliers Association (UNAS) has declared a strike alert and is threatening to block roads, according to a statement issued by its head Róbert Huran on Monday. They ask for lower and fixed excise taxes on diesel and petrol at the minimum level required by the EU, a cut in the motor vehicle tax rate based on the example of the Czech Republic, and a reduction of income tax to 16 percent or less. It also called for the scrapping of tax licences and a reduction in mandatory contributions to social funds so that the net income of employees makes up at least two thirds of the cost of their labour. The hauliers want their demands met by June 1 of this year. If this does not happen they are threatening to completely block at least Bratislava, Dunajská Streda (Trnava region) and Žilina. The association has organised road blockades in the past when it managed to obtain a reduction in excise tax on diesel and a halving of road toll fines.