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Sharjah’s Emirates Taxi protest hike in target

Lodging complaints similar to those of other private taxis that were lodged last month, the Emirates Taxi drivers said that the company had raised their daily targets from Dh250 to Dh300, which was unacceptable to them. “We have to make our own payments for visas and labour card renewals, other than bearing other miscellaneous expenses,” said one driver.

The drivers parked their vehicles near Sharjah’s Fruit and Vegetable Market in the Industrial Area and walked off to protest in front of the Labour Department. Finally, it was with the intervention of the labour authorities that the crowd dispersed after being promised that their demand would be looked into. He also said that other private taxi company drivers had protested and their companies had negotiated with them. “This is the right way to negotiate because in this way, both the driver and company are satisfied,” said another driver.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Operations Manager of Emirates Taxi, Ahmed Hamza said, “Only 10-15 taxi drivers parked their vehicles, so you cannot call it a protest.”

He also said that the company paid them good salaries and, therefore, there was no reason for the taxi drivers to go on a strike. “Only a handful of drivers were on strike while others were prompted to join,” said Hamza. “We adjusted the metres earlier so that the burden does not fall on taxi drivers,” he said.

Hamza also said that taxi drivers in the UAE were making it a habit to protest in such a way and have their demands met. “The UAE does not allow such kinds of protests, and we too, have an administration where the drivers can talk to us in confidence,” he said.

He also said that if negotiations do not work out between the drivers and the management, then the company might have to take the needful steps. “Someone has to be logical, and the drivers should discuss such issues with the management, so that they can be sorted out peacefully,” he said.

• UAE