Dubai: Taxi drivers in Dubai are to get access to a fund, which will pay out up to Dh12,000 to their families if they die.
The Social Solidarity Fund will also offer help with medical expenses up to Dh1,000 and provide interest-free loans on a case-by-case basis.
And should a driver need to terminate their contract due to poor health, payments of up to Dh5,000 will be available.
The fund has been set up by the Dubai Taxi Corporation, under the Roads and Transport Authority, following an assessment of the financial needs of drivers.
The committee was tasked to carry out the study by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
‘Ambassadors'
Ahmad Hashim Behroozian, who headed the committee, said the drivers of Dubai's 3,504 taxis were viewed as "ambassadors" for the RTA.
"All RTA agencies and sectors are keen on providing all sorts of support to employees to enable them to carry out their jobs effectively and transparently," Behroozian said.
"Addressing the individual needs is crucial for improving the staff performance, particularly cab drivers who exert physical and psychological efforts in serving a wide spectrum of taxi users in Dubai.
"Therefore the RTA views them as ambassadors for it in dealing with various community segments."
