UAE | Employment
Sharjah taxi drivers protest salary deduction
Taxi drivers complain that decision to deduct 52 fils per kilometre from their monthly revenue is unreasonable
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 November 25, 2010
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Well, I always have found Sharjah Taxi drivers serving customers with a smile. Their view point needs to be understood with an open mind. They work on commision basis and their business has has been badly hit by new rules like starting meter @10 Dhs for a ride in sharjah & 20 Dhs for travel to Dubai. Almost 60% of their of their customers these days find travelling by bus a cheaper option. In simpler terms, when their earnings are almost half, it is unfair to make it lesser by deducting 52 fils per kilometre from their monthly revenue. Has anyone noticed, these days we find drivers from only one particular nationality driving cars on roads, rest of them have left this profession.
Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates
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whatever the reasons behind the deduction, it could be on legal grounds. otherwise, why would it be implemented. I stand and once again reiterate my complaint on some sharjah taxi drivers who doesn't have proper discipline. I sent a letter once on my experience with a Taxi driver. well, if they do want a fair pay,then they must do a fair service to customers...
Anonymous, sharjah, Philippines
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un fair and for above comment now a minmun charges is 10 Dirhams its very bad with poor people think always positive all people come here for making money and taxi drivers are serving us [for] long they dont even get holiday on Eid or Christmas time or Diwali and they are only comission basses so very bad decision
Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Good decision from the authorities. I have seen several occasion that Sharjah Taxi drivers charging extra money other than what showing in meter. It seems drivers want to make money for their own, by charging extra from passenger. It happened to me several time, and despite complaints no action has been taken against these Taxi drivers. It is a very good decision from authorities to deduct their commission.
Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah: More than 100 taxi drivers gathered on Wednesday morning outside the Ministry of Labour in protest against the decision to deduct 52 fils per kilometre from their monthly revenue.
Since the rule was implemented on November 1, taxi drivers from all five franchise companies complained that the decision was unreasonable since it leaves them with less than half of their previous monthly revenue.
Although many drivers resumed work within the first week of November, dozens still refuse.
"This is my last chance. If this rule cannot change then I am leaving and will go back home. If I want to make the same commission as before [30 per cent] I need to work double. But customers are much less because they find taxis expensive," said a taxi driver.
‘Working for free'
"A ministry official told us that we have no other choice but to abide to our contracts. I would rather leave get my end of service benefits, instead of working for free and leaving my family back home with debt," said another driver.
In response to the protest, Sharjah Transport released a statement yesterday saying: "The working relationship between the driver and the franchise company operating the service of taxis in the emirate is ruled by the Labour Code, and the law guarantees all of their rights. The rules are legally binding and were agreed upon by both parties, [the company and its employees]. If the employees disagree with the contract, then they have every right to hand in their resignation at the Ministry of Labour in Sharjah."
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