Times are tough for truck drivers.
Directly impacted by soaring energy and fuel prices, transport organizations sent an open letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, in which they expressed their concerns.
"
The companies are bloodless, the cash flow empty and the outlook very gloomy
", write the National Federation of Road Transporters (FNTR), the Union of Transport and Logistics Companies of France (TFL), the Organization of European Road Transporters and the National Federation of Passenger Carriers, adding that "
business failures will multiply
".
Read alsoFuels: faced with soaring bills, could we "freeze prices"?
“
The problem is the speed with which diesel prices are rising
,” explains Éric Hémar, president of Union TFL.
In one year, diesel, the main fuel for trucks along with natural gas, has increased by 45%, according to OTRE.
"
And just compared to January, the 1000 liters of diesel today cost 850 euros more
" deplores Jean-Marc Rivéra, its president.
This galloping inflation therefore greatly disturbs companies in the sector - for whom fuel represents between 25% and 35% of the cost price of a service - because they cannot pass on these increases in time to the invoices they send to their customers. .
In addition, "
the latter do not always agree to pay more
" testifies Jean-Marc Rivéra.
They ask for help from the state
Carrier organizations are therefore eagerly awaiting the measures of the government's resilience plan, which are due to be unveiled next week.
"
We have no idea what this plan will include
" worries Eric Hémar, who first asks that the government "
help companies to enforce the indexation elements
".
The President of the Union TLF would also like the partial reimbursement (2 cents per liter) of the TICPE tax on fuel to take place every month and not quarterly, as is currently the case.
“
It would relieve us in the short term,
” he explains.
But Eric Hémar acknowledges that "
stronger measures will be needed if the situation persists
", which is not
a foolish theory
.
On the other hand, he affirms that no shortage of fuel is to be expected for the moment.
Read alsoRise in fuel prices: how the French are adapting to the situation
For his part, Jean-Marc Rivéra is requesting two emergency measures intended to support the "
overdue
" cash flow of companies, "
80% of which are VSEs-SMEs with fewer than 50 employees
".
To help them, he asks for exemptions from social and tax charges as well as “
direct financial aid
”.
“
These measures must be taken now, because it is urgent!
» he maintains, reassembled.
After these "
quick fixes
", the general delegate of the OTRE hopes to obtain from the State a special diesel price for the transport sector: "
the price of fuel for road professionals must be fixed.
Fishermen for example, they have special rates.
Why not us ?
This is not normal,
” he points out.
“
Especially since some were received at Bercy.
For us, it's radio silence... We're very, very worried,
” concludes Jean-Marc Rivéra.
Contacted, the Ministry of the Economy recalls that the government's resilience plan will be presented next week.