The Italian news agency Nova reported on Thursday that the General Union of Misrata Port Fishermen criticized the shortage of fuel, which prevents them from refueling their boats and going out to sea to work.
A local source told Nova that the union organized a protest in front of Brega Oil Company’s headquarters in the port area, highlighting fishermen’s complaints about “poor working conditions and increasing difficulties” caused by fuel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, rising parallel market exchange rates, and tourism taxes on foreign workers.
They explained that these issues have created numerous burdens for fishermen, including buying fuel at higher prices, a shortage of foreign labor, rising import costs, and weak port facilities.
The union warned that the outcome is higher fish prices in the local market, negatively affecting food security for Libyan citizens.
The union called for measures to provide fuel at local prices rather than global rates, reduce tourism taxes on foreign workers—since Libyan workers are reluctant to work in this sector—and improve port infrastructure to ensure proper working conditions for Libyan fishing vessels.
