ANADEGAS will define this Thursday possible withdrawal of verifones at fuel stations
The National Association of Gasoline Retailers (ANADEGAS) is at a decisive stage regarding the conflict it is maintaining with the national banking sector. The union has called a meeting for this Thursday, where it will be determined whether to proceed with the removal of card terminals (verifones) at service stations across the country starting next Monday, as a pressure measure against the high commissions applied to credit and debit card payments.
Juan Elías Pérez, president of the entity, pointed out that the retailers’ patience has reached its limit after having granted multiple deadlines to reach a consensus that has not prospered. According to the leader, the current situation of profit margins is unsustainable for service station owners.
We are going to wait until tomorrow for us to tell them: Well, starting Monday, that’s it, that’s it!, the business is closed.
Juan Elías Pérez, president of ANADEGAS
Details of the possible protest
In the event that a satisfactory agreement is not reached, Pérez announced that the measure would be applied in a staggered and forceful manner nationwide:
- Start of the test in La Romana.
- Second phase in San Francisco de Macorís.
- Total execution in Greater Santo Domingo.
ANADEGAS’ central position is that the bank commission for electronic transactions should be reduced to 0.30%. Pérez argues that the current gross margin, of approximately 24 pesos per gallon, is insufficient to cover the high operating costs that include:
- Staff salaries.
- Electricity and maintenance billing.
- Security services and tax obligations.
- Current bank fees.
The union leader emphasized that the weight of bank charges, added to fixed expenses, is stifling the sector’s profitability. Currently, ANADEGAS brings together nearly 800 of the 1,038 fuel stations operating in the country, and it is expected that non-affiliated establishments will also join the cause.
Although the main objective is to push for a fair solution, the sector assures that it is working so that, in the event that the measure is implemented, the impact on end users is as minimal as possible, maintaining a willingness to engage in dialogue until the very last moment.
