KINGSTON, Jamaica— Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has called the all-island transportation strike “premature and unnecessary” as he says a meeting to discuss the public passenger operators’ issues with the suspension of licenses has been set for Tuesday.

The minister on Monday said he is aware of the protest situation affecting a number of parishes as taxi and bus operators have withdrawn their services leaving many people stranded.

Vaz said, however, that he believes the strike is either politically motivated or there was a lack of communication between the taxi associations and the public passenger vehicle operators as the meeting was advertised last week.

“Obviously there is a situation where I would like to believe that it is a lack of communication why the transport operators continue to take action after a very definitive statement was made from last week that there would be a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to address their concerns in relation to demerit points,” Vaz said.

“So I can only conclude that it is either politically motivated or it is a lack of communication getting down from the taxi organisations (and) associations to the actual drivers. I would want to believe that it is a situation where it is a communication situation, however I will continue to watch throughout the day,” the minister continued.

He stated that the matters the drivers will raise at Tuesday’s meeting will be a part of the Road Traffic Act review which concludes at the end of June.

When the strike was announced on Sunday, Vaz called for calm among the public transport operators. He is further urging that the operators maintain order, and for the drivers who are taking part in the islandwide strike to return to work.

“I can only say again once again that this action is premature and unnecessary and I am making an appeal to all of those drivers who are taking part, who are losing income and causing great inconvenience to the commuters to get back on the job and allow the process to take its place,” Vaz said.

He also warned drivers who are using the strike as a political move and those who have blocked roads to discontinue doing so.

“For those who are using it for political reason I ask you to desist especially in relation to the roadblocks that are being mounted using trees and stones and other things to interrupt the flow of ordinary law abiding citizens,” said.

“It is unnecessary and I am calling on you to desist and allow the process of collaboration, communication and consensus, which is how I operate, to continue and we will get the desired results,” the transport minister warned.