They admit to being “overwhelmed” by work. With the economic recovery, the construction and public works sector has recovered its head. After being shaken by the Covid-19 crisis and then the surge in the price of materials, construction professionals must now deal with the explosion in the price of the diesel fuel which supplies their trucks and the GNR (non-road diesel fuel) which operates their machines. Exhausted, several bosses have voted in favor of blocking oil depots since Tuesday. First in Brest and Lorient but also in Vern-sur-Seiche, near Rennes, where we were able to ask them about the reality of their problem. Everyone makes the same observation: “We work at a loss. »
Fabien is at the head of a transport company specializing in public works. Every day, he and his five employees deliver rubble, asphalt, earth or sand to construction sites. “Right now, it’s costing me money to run them”, explains the young man who estimates “losing €120 a day” due to the soaring price of diesel. Since Tuesday evening, it has blocked access to the Total oil depot in Vern-sur-Seiche (Ille-et-Vilaine). “We no longer have a choice. If we do nothing, we close the door and in three weeks, we no longer exist”. And the promise of the reduction of 15 cents per liter of fuel? “It’s to put people to sleep.”
Ads deemed insufficient
This Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced new measures, in particular the assumption of part of the additional costs of companies that consume a lot of energy. This aid will benefit companies whose gas and electricity expenses represent “at least 3% of their turnover, and which could make losses in 2022”, said Jean Castex. Still insufficient in the eyes of construction bosses. “We are waiting for concrete measures once and for all. For us, the price of non-road diesel has been multiplied by 2.5. When you have machines that consume 100 to 150 liters per day, this is no longer possible. We are asking for an agreement on prices, over the long term. There, we lose money, ”denounces Ludovic Prizer, boss of the small company of the same name. If prices remain at this level, the Breton estimates that he will lose “at least €110,000” this year. “We mainly do construction sites at private homes but they refuse to pass on the price”.
Christophe agrees. He rents earthmoving machinery with drivers in Ille-et-Vilaine. This boss who employs about 20 employees is disappointed by the crisis he is undergoing. “Before, fuel was about 10% of my turnover, but now it’s gone to 20% in a few weeks. The price per liter has risen by 150%. Who can absorb such inflation? The State and local authorities must mobilize, they must agree to absorb the additional costs. Otherwise, we won’t be here, ”warns the boss. He estimates that he “loses €20,000 per month” since the diesel and GNR surge.
While Jean Castex has just finished presenting his “resilience plan”, it’s time for discussions in front of Breton fuel depots. Should we continue to block and raise fears of a fuel shortage in the country? In the ranks of the demonstrators, the answer seems without appeal. “We won’t give up.”