Transport strike: Losses are around S/. 8 million per day in Huánuco

The Huánuco region joins tomorrow the transport strike that has been taking place in 10 regions of the country since last Monday, March 28. This region could lose more than 16 million soles in revenues, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Refulio Huaccho, warned.

“Huánuco moves around 8 million soles a day. The shutdown of transport scheduled for next Monday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5, would cause the region to lose more than 16 million,” said Refulio Huaccho.

It should be noted that the economic impact generated by trade and services represents 10% of regional GDP.

While true, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has interfered with fuel and food prices rising unexpectedly in recent weeks. However, political noise is also to blame for this crisis, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

Despite the regional economic recovery, the growth rate in 2020 was less than 19%; while in 2021 there was a record of less 2.9%. That is, there is a decrease due to the high rate of informality. According to the latest report by the Chamber of Commerce, 85% of the economic axis is informal. However, this would be aggravated by the current crisis.

For his part, Evaristo Bueno Tafur, representative of the Transport Association, was responsible for announcing that on Monday, April 4, Huánuco joined the transport strike; he also replied to the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, after he deliberately said that behind these demonstrations there are people 'paid' to weaken their government.

“It's really embarrassing to hear all that from a person like Pedro Castillo. Surely, he also charged to lead marches. At no time have we received a penny. This Monday, Huánuco will join the national transport strike, and I invite the entire union to join this cause,” said Evaristo Tafur.

Within the list of claims for the sector is the cancellation of the selective consumption tax, the lowering of the price of fuel and the elimination of tolls. Mechanisms that would somehow solve this problem.

LOSSES THROUGHOUT PERU

For the economist and lawyer, Ricardo Moscoso, one of the main effects that this transport stoppage is bringing is for the consumer, as he says that 26 years ago there had been no equal price inflation. This increase is due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“All those products linked to the regular basic basket, such as chicken, flour, corn, etc. are having a negative impact on food and are being observed with greater momentum in Peru, as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is an increase in food prices by 3.5%,” he said.

In addition, the monetary loss by the country is enormous, Moscoso says that approximately 1,500 to 1,600 million soles per day is being lost.

“It's incalculable, but in general, 2/3 of the merchandise is not reaching the places where it should arrive, especially in major cities and that is harmful not only to the entire production chain, but also to the same consumer who does not have products they can consume,” he said.

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