Title: Polish Transport Companies Block Ukrainian Border Crossings in Protest Against Unfair Competition
Date: [Date]
In a bid to draw attention to what they perceive as unfair competition from Ukrainian businesses, several dozen owners of transport companies in Poland blocked three major border crossings with Ukraine on Monday. The protest, which disrupted cargo traffic, was a response to the liberalization of European Union rules and the subsequent waiver of permits for Ukrainian transport companies to enter the EU after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the border checkpoint in Dorohusk, trucks lined up as protesters voiced their concerns about the impact of the influx of Ukrainian competitors on their revenues. The protesting owners called for a restoration of fair competition rules, highlighting the significantly lower costs incurred by Ukrainian companies in servicing trucks, hiring drivers, and establishing businesses.
Marek Oklinski, an owner of a transport company, claimed that Ukrainian companies’ ability to drive down prices and secure contracts that were previously held by Polish companies had severely affected their profits. The protesters also staged blockages at crossings in Hrebenne and Korczowa, pledging to allow passenger traffic, as well as transport with humanitarian or military aid, to pass through.
However, Poland’s infrastructure ministry stated that meeting the demands of the protesting companies by reinstating the permits system for Ukrainian carriers was not possible due to EU rules. The ministry pointed out that the decision to waive the permits had been made by the EU and Poland could not reimpose the system until the current agreement expires.
The ministry issued a statement urging the protesters to end the blockades and emphasized that the issue could only be resolved within the framework of EU regulations.
The blockade drew attention to the challenges faced by Polish transport companies due to increased competition from their Ukrainian counterparts. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will closely monitor developments and assess the potential impact on the transport sector in both countries.
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Source: [Source]