Truckers criticize oil companies for price increases: "The fuel was purchased before the Iranian conflict."

PalmThe PIMEM transport association, Astam, has publicly denounced what it calls "the abuse" perpetrated by major oil companies in the wake of the conflict in Iran. According to a press release, the association stated that transporters have detected an increase of up to 15 cents per liter in the reference price of professional diesel, which they consider a "completely unjustified" price hike based on speculative practices under the pretext of the conflict in Iran. The association's president, Jeroni Valcaneras, emphasized that the fuel currently being supplied was purchased before the start of the attacks, and therefore "the immediate transfer of costs lacks any economic basis." Given this situation, the PIMEM association has called on the Spanish government to urgently implement a contingency plan that revives the spirit of the measures approved in 2022 in response to the war in Ukraine. Valcaneras pointed out that, at that time, the State implemented direct subsidies of up to 20 cents per liter of fuel, direct aid per vehicle to offset operating costs, and strengthened the law to prohibit working below cost, as well as the clause for updating expenses. Both PIMEM and Astam remind all companies and self-employed workers in the sector of the need to rigorously apply the clause for reviewing transport tariffs due to fuel price fluctuations. "This measure, which is legally mandated, is the primary defense mechanism to automatically pass on these increases and guarantee the viability of the business," he concluded.