Drivers frustrated with DTC wage deductions

DUBAI — Laying bare the treatment meted out to them by Dubai Transport Corporation (DTC), several drivers of the corporation have complained that for years they have never received their full earnings because the corporation makes unknown and unexplained deductions each month.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Sun 15 May 2005, 10:28 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:26 PM

Though the allegations have been confirmed by an official of DTC, the top management has denied the claims vehemently.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, the official, who did not want to be named, confirmed that the claims made by the drivers were true. “For long, I have seen the poor drivers in difficulty. They do not have anybody to whom they can complain,” he said.

“People have always complained against drivers saying that they drive recklessly, refuse pick-ups and misbehave, but I can vouch for the fact that they (drivers) are under immense pressure. They have to meet targets including the traffic so that they can keep some of earnings for themselves,” he said.

“The inside story is, he said, that the corporation charges the drivers Dh300 every year for a uniform when it actually costs the corporation Dh140. The repair of a car bumper, for example, costs the corporation Dh400 while the driver is charged Dh1,000, and the Dh20 charged as medical amount which costs DTC Dh12,” he said adding that most drivers were unaware of these facts.

The drivers said that despite their hardwork and several hours long duty, the corporation which earns more than Dh 100 million a year, was making deductions from their monthly income without any explanation.

“To start off with, we do not have any kind of agreement (contract) with the corporation, and this is where we are at a loss,” said M.E. (named changed) who has been working with DTC for the past nine years. “The corporation also takes visa fees from us. I paid Dh500 as medical fees and for the visa I was charged Dh310,” he said.

“Every month, I have a deduction of several dirhams for charges that I am not aware of,” he added. According to the salary slip, another driver K. L. had earned Dh2,150 as gross salary in a month while the total deductions for the month included: For housing Dh230, Dh20 as medical, Dh500 as Quality Control fine, Dh50 as other amount deduction and Dh1,260 as advance suspense leaving the net pay in that month as Dh79. “No one explains why these deductions are made every month,” he said.