Abu Dhabi: Hundreds of cab drivers of the Tawasul Taxi Company did not report for work o Monday, instead gathering at TransAD headquarters, the taxi regulatory authority in Abu Dhabi, to protest against the company's new salary structure.

The protest action came a day after a taxi fare hike was introduced in the Capital.

Tawasul had issued a letter to drivers working for the company informing them about a revised pay structure which requires a higher target.

Under the new scheme, drivers will be entitled to payment on a commission basis only if they bring in monthly revenue of more than Dh9,000. The commission is in addition to a fixed monthly pay of Dh1,000.

The Tawasul letter stated that "drivers should aim at Dh400 per day as their revenue target."

Drivers complained the new rule made for an "unattainable target".

Earlier, a driver bringing in Dh9,000 would earn a 15 per cent commission, resulting in a net pay of Dh2,350.

New rule: Warning issued

TransAD has warned Tawasul against increasing the revenue target for drivers, Gulf News has learnt.

Abdullah Sultan Al Sabbagh, the general manager of TransAD, heard the complaints of the drivers in person and promised to look into their grievances.

Abdullah Al Hameli, head of the Complaints and Quality control at TransAD, said all seven taxi operators in the emirate would be prohibited from making changes to salary structures without prior approval from the authority.