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Bosnian truckers block the movement of goods to protest against taxes and barriers

Bosnian truckers blocked all movement of goods in the Balkan nation on Monday, claiming that the government failed to support the transport industry.

Around 600 trucks were parked in front of cargo terminals near borders with Croatia and Serbia, as well as the capital Sarajevo.

The motor vehicle club BIHAMK in Bosnia said that passenger traffic was not blocked, but had slowed.

The protests were organised by Logisticsa, an organisation representing 47,000 transport workers, under the slogan, "That's Enough", after months of talks with Bosnia's many levels of government had failed to produce any results.

Velimir Pelelic, chief coordinator of Logistika, said at a press conference that "our supply chains were halted throughout the country."

The 600-strong group Logistika wants the government to address administrative barriers and high taxes, which it claims threaten the survival of an industry worth $5.50 billion.

The European Union has set a cap of 90 days for Bosnian truckers to stay in the EU without having to leave, out of the 180 allowed per year.

Peulic stated that this has forced many Bosnian companies to reregister in the EU member countries of Croatia and Slovenia, and many Bosnian motorists to leave their home country.

He said: "Stop arresting Bosnians in the EU." 48 Bosnian drivers were detained throughout the EU because they exceeded the 90-day period, even though all they did was their jobs.

Truck drivers want to see a reduction in border procedures and a refund on excise tax on oil, along with a greater digitalisation of the system that will reduce red tape and queues.

Bosnia's Communications and Transportation Ministry announced that it has begun to tackle some administrative barriers and procedures and they should be finished by the end of next month.

Peulic stated that negotiations with the government and protests would continue. ($1 = 0,8542 euros) Reporting by Daria Sucic, Editing by Gareth Jones

(source: Reuters)