The keys to the agreement to mitigate the rise in fuel
A panel at a gas station shows the high prices that fuels have reached. /
Direct aid and the bonus of 0.20 euros per liter are the star measures of the pact to the limit between the Government and carriers
The agreement reached in the early hours of Friday between the Government and the National Committee for Road Transport (CNTC) is focused on resolving two of the main claims that the sector demanded in the face of the impact of the energy crisis on its activity: the price reduction of fuel and the granting of direct aid that, finally, will imply a total disbursement of 1,050 million euros.
The final document also covers other claims such as the implementation of a specific regulation for a "fair" use of subcontracting. These are the main points of the agreement:
1. Fuels
The Government will reward carriers with 0.20 euros per liter or kilo of fuel, of which 15 cents will come from the public budget and the other 5 will be borne by oil product operators. In fact, companies like Repsol had already announced before this agreement that they were lowering their fuel prices; Cepsa and BP, for their part, also announced this Friday initiatives in this regard.
The bonus, operative between April 1 and June 30 - extendable depending on the evolution of the markets -, will be applied to diesel, gasoline, gas and adBlue, with which an attempt has been made to cover the demand both goods and passengers. The Executive calculates that this bonus will imply an expense of more than 600 million euros for the sector as a whole. And a saving of about 700 euros per truck per month.
But, how to certify that all parties comply with the sales? The signed pact includes a clause in which it is determined that the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) will be the body that monitors its implementation.
2. Returns
The parties also agreed to implement another of the historical demands of the sector: that the return of professional diesel (which it receives in the form of a partial rebate of the tax on hydrocarbons) be carried out on a monthly basis instead of annually as established until now. . The agreements reached in December with the sector already reduced the term to a quarterly period, but the measure had not yet entered into force.
3. Direct aid
This compensation to carriers has been set at 450 million euros, which will be divided between the freight and passenger sectors. And they will also be distributed by type of vehicle. Specifically, the amount will rise to 1,250 euros per truck, 900 per bus, 500 per van and 300 per light vehicle (taxis, VTC and ambulances).
4. ICO Credits
In order to deal with possible liquidity problems arising from the crisis, the agreement reached between the main employers in the sector and the Government also includes an extension of the maturity period of loans guaranteed by the Official Credit Institute (ICO) granted, up to a period ranging between 8 and 10 years.
The extension of the grace period of 6 months has also been approved, a measure that will be of immediate application. And most importantly, a new credit line will be established for the sector guaranteed by the State with a 12-month grace period.
5. Protection for the self-employed
Within the set of social measures, aimed at ensuring protection for self-employed carriers, the budget allocation for aid for abandoning the profession will be doubled, going from 10 to 20 million euros in 2022.
It must be borne in mind that the road transport sector is characterized by the existence of a significant number of professionals of advanced age for this type of work, with a lack of resources to be able to cease the activity before turning 65 years of age.
“This situation represents a social impact for which the ministry allocates a significant budget item, with aid for self-employed workers of 30,000 euros and that, thanks to the agreement reached, will double these amounts to help a greater number of self-employed workers to be able to face abandonment. of the activity", indicates the agreement.
6. Outsourcing
Before July 31, the Government will submit to the CNTC a bill to apply the principles of the Food Chain Law to the road freight transport sector, in order to ensure fair use of subcontracting and profitability of the work and subsequently submit it to the Council of Ministers.
All these measures are added to those adopted in the latest Royal Decree Law 3/2022, which already established the prohibition of loading and unloading by drivers, the reinforcement of inspection in the sector or the mandatory inclusion in the contracts of the price review clause for the variation in the price of fuel, applying the formula approved by the Administration.
Oil companies enter a commercial war for applying discounts
JM Waiter
After the Government's agreement with the National Transport Committee, by which the oil companies are urged to put their shoulders to the wheel by lowering five cents of a euro per liter of gasoline; and after the meeting held by the executives of the large companies with the president, Pedro Sánchez, last Monday at the Palacio de la Moncloa, the oil companies have begun to move by announcing different types of reduction in the price of fuel, both for carriers and individuals.
The first firm to do so was Repsol a week ago, when it announced a cut of 10 euro cents per liter in the price of all its fuels to those private customers who pay at its more than 3,300 service stations in Spain with the application of Waylet loyalty. This initiative, which was to be in force until April 18, with the end of Holy Week, was extended -according to the group's announcement this Thursday- until June 30. And it includes carriers that use the Solred card in their payments.
For its part, Cepsa announced this Friday that it is applying a direct discount of 10 cents per liter. The measure is not conditional on future refueling and is accessible to all users, at the 1,500 service stations that the company has throughout Spain. This promotion will take effect on April 1st and will also last until June 30th. Any particular customer will be able to access this discount if they are adhered to the 'Because You Come Back' program, which any user can join immediately and easily through the company's website or at the point of sale. In addition, professionals will benefit from this contribution of 10 cents in addition to current commercial discounts.
BP also indicated this Friday that it will reduce up to 14 cents per liter to carriers and up to 12 cents in the case of individuals. The former must have a 'Routex' card. And non-professional drivers will be able to enjoy the advantage through the 'My BP' card, joining the 'Crazy Savings' promotion.
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