Ajman truckers call off strike

AJMAN — The garbage truck drivers in Ajman have called off their stir and resumed work yesterday. They went on strike on Saturday protesting against the traffic department's decision to change their route.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Mon 6 Mar 2006, 10:08 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 7:27 PM

A source from Ajman Municipality said that the civic body received a memorandum from the drivers and handed it over to the police department, as the route change was not the municipality's concern.

The problem was discussed yesterday at a meeting between protesters and Ajman Police Department. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali Saeed Al Matroushi, Head of the Accidents and Traffic section at Ajman Police, said the garbage truck drivers explained their difficulties in using the suggested route which requires them to pass through the narrow exit at the Roundabout on Shaikh Zayed Road of Ajman. The narrow exit results in holding up traffic and causes congestion problems for truck drivers as well as other motorists.

However, the new route which was decided by police department to resolve the problems of the truck drivers will now allow the drivers coming from Al Zahra district and Ajman Industrial Area to use the road that passes from behind the new traffic department premises in Al Humaidiaya.

The Shaikh Rashid Road which was earlier used by these trucks still remains closed for them, but they are now allowed to use part of it till they reach the roundabout to turn right and take the Al Humaidiya Road which passes through the Al Jarf district.

R.N Saleem, a truck driver, said ''the traffic department's earlier decision forced us to pass through Al Hamriay Free Zone which is part of Sharjah and the Sharjah traffic police would issue a violation ticket for using the internal road which according to Sharjah traffic department is not allowed for trucks.

''The earlier route which was decided by the traffic department is too long and it will allow us to make only two trips a day which accounts for a total revenue of Dh 150 per day. This is not fair, as we pay the municipality increased annual fee and besides the fuel has become very expensive. If we had kept quiet and followed the decision of the traffic department blindly, we would not be able to make any profit and would lose a lot of money. But now, with the revised route, I really would like to thank the Municipality and Ajman Police for their cooperation and support.”