FACTBOX: The spread of protests over rising fuel prices
(Reuters) - Protests against surging fuel prices which have triggered fears of political instability and a global economic downturn expanded in Europe and Asia on Monday, and Colombian truckers said they would join the wave of strikes.
Here are some details:
* FRANCE:
-- On Monday, French truckers began blocking roads in the latest protest to pressure the government to help them cope with oil prices that have more than doubled in a year.
-- The nationwide day of action announced by the main haulage associations included roadblocks and so-called "snail" operations by convoys of slow-moving trucks.
-- French fishermen fighting for cheaper fuel have recently blockaded ports, disrupted traffic on land and sea, and blocked the fuel depot of France's largest oil refinery.
* SPAIN:
-- Spain's few remaining striking truck drivers called off their week-long fuel protest for now.
-- The strike paralyzed Spain's transport network last week, leaving petrol stations without fuel, factories without parts, empty supermarket shelves and sparked travel chaos for millions.
* COLOMBIA:
-- In Colombia, the world's No. 3 coffee producer, freight drivers were due to stage a national strike on Monday. Transport Minister Andres Uriel Gallego said officials were taking measures to guarantee food supplies.
* SOUTH KOREA:
-- In South Korea, construction workers joined thousands of striking truckers in the latest blow to new President Lee Myung-bak, who said inflationary pressures were creating the biggest global economic crisis in 30 years.
* THAILAND:
-- Yoo Chienyuenyongpong, president of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, which has 400,000 trucks under its banner, said he would decide whether to resurrect a strike threat after a meeting with finance, transport and energy ministry officials on Thursday.
-- Last week, thousands of Thai hauliers went on a half-day strike. Facing sustained protests on the streets of Bangkok and shaky public support, Thailand's government gives out handouts to everyone from rice farmers to bus operators.
