Consumer and Unity Trust Society (CUTS) say the restriction of the movement of goods as a result of the strike by truck drives will trigger the price increase and shortage of food commodities and other goods.

CUTS Programmes Coordinator Ishmael Zulu added that, this will lower incomes of individuals who sell these goods as well as reduce businesses incomes because they will have limitations in their stocks of goods.

Mr. Zulu further noted that amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the strike by the truck drivers will further deteriorate economic growth as it will negatively impact on cross-border trade and also lead to FOREX shortages.

He further urged government to immediately give a listening ear to truck drivers over their grievances before the situation is worsened seeing it will cause anxiety to the nation and negatively affect the consumers and the economy at large.

“The Zambian economy largely depends on imports that are facilitated by truck drivers,” he said.

Mr. Zulu added that truck drivers should desist from harassing their fellow truck drivers and threatening to burn down goods that are in transit as this will have adverse economic impacts.

“For a long time now, Zambian truck drivers have continued to endure harsh working conditions,” he said.

Mr. Zulu noted that Truck drivers have been denied a standardized minimum mileage wage for each hour they spend driving long distances on extremely dangerous national and trans-national routes.