STORY: Polish transport workers block roads to border crossings with Ukraine in protest
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 8, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 9, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:45
LOCATION: PRZEMYSL, MALHOWICE, Poland
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of truck queue near Przemysl
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Polish): JOANNA GOLISZ, Police in Przemysl
3. various of the Malhowice-Nizankowice border crossing in construction (shot in Malhowice)
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Polish):  LIEUTENANT PIOTR ZAKIELARZ, Press Spokesman for the Commander of the Bieszczady Border Guard Unit

STORYLINE:

Representatives of Polish transport companies protested on the access roads to three border crossings with Ukraine on Wednesday, against unfair competition from the neighboring country's businesses.

Protesters almost do not allow trucks to pass to crossings in Korczowa and Dorohusk in Lublin Voivodeship, which led to long queues of trucks.

The only active crossing for trucks is the crossing in Medyka near Przemysl in Podkarpackie Voivodeship, where nearly 600 trucks were waiting for clearance. The queue of cars reaches several dozen kilometers.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Polish): JOANNA GOLISZ, Police in Przemysl
"Due to the queue of waiting trucks at the border crossing in Medyka, there are local traffic slowdowns on the section from Medyka to Dunkowiczki."

After the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU waived a system of permits for Ukrainian transport companies to enter the bloc.

The Polish companies claim the move has triggered an influx of Ukrainian competitors into the sector, plunging their profits.

The truckers have been carrying out their protest since Monday.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Polish):  LIEUTENANT PIOTR ZAKIELARZ, Press Spokesman for the Commander of the Bieszczady Border Guard Unit
"In Podkarpackie, unloaded trucks are also checked in at the point where the Malhowice-Nizankowice border crossing is currently being built. Only yesterday we cleared 220 trucks at this point. At this point, traffic is basically ongoing, but the situation is dynamic. We are constantly adapting the number of officers to the situation at the border."

The electronic queue system is another concern for the Poles. They complained that the compulsory registration takes too long for carriers wanting to return to Poland.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Przemysl, Malhowice, Poland.
(XHTV)