All cheer for the cabbies
Hooray for Dubai cabbies, a horrifically underpaid and under-appreciated profession whose bosses were trying to screw even more blood out of an already well-squeezed stone.
Taxis in Dubai are only charged by distance, meaning that in these days of perma-gridlock, drivers are stuck for hours in traffic earning zero money. Drivers also have to carry out all their own maintenance, despite paying huge daily rentals for their cabs, and face numerous fines for even the smallest scratches.
"Most of us end up working up to 24 hours daily to generate the minimum collection of Dh260 plus Dh90 for fuel".
"Generating Dh 350 daily was itself difficult, and now the additional amount of Dh25 has been fixed by the company, making it impossible for us to generate the amount even after working 24 hours," complained another driver. He said, "At the end of the month, we have no money".
Happily, two days of industrial action have forced greedy bosses into a climbdown:
Dubai: Hundreds of Metro Taxi drivers ended a two-day protest yesterday against 18-hour working days and poor working conditions after management promised to transfer them to work on a commission basis.
Al Rayah Ebrahim, Metro Taxi's General Manager, confirmed he issued a circular yesterday informing the men that they would not have to pay an increase in car rents and that the company will study applying a commission-based system.
Bonus congratulatory tips are in order from all passengers: these guys took a symbolic risk for all of us.
Taxis in Dubai are only charged by distance, meaning that in these days of perma-gridlock, drivers are stuck for hours in traffic earning zero money. Drivers also have to carry out all their own maintenance, despite paying huge daily rentals for their cabs, and face numerous fines for even the smallest scratches.
"Most of us end up working up to 24 hours daily to generate the minimum collection of Dh260 plus Dh90 for fuel".
"Generating Dh 350 daily was itself difficult, and now the additional amount of Dh25 has been fixed by the company, making it impossible for us to generate the amount even after working 24 hours," complained another driver. He said, "At the end of the month, we have no money".
Happily, two days of industrial action have forced greedy bosses into a climbdown:
Dubai: Hundreds of Metro Taxi drivers ended a two-day protest yesterday against 18-hour working days and poor working conditions after management promised to transfer them to work on a commission basis.
Al Rayah Ebrahim, Metro Taxi's General Manager, confirmed he issued a circular yesterday informing the men that they would not have to pay an increase in car rents and that the company will study applying a commission-based system.
Bonus congratulatory tips are in order from all passengers: these guys took a symbolic risk for all of us.
Labels: driving
9 Comments:
I use taxis frequently these days and have noticed that the drivers are visibly tired. Friends also complain about them being grumpy - hardly surprising. Fatigue is a real safety issue as two years ago my husband was in a bad accident on his way to the airport because the taxi driver fell asleep at the wheel; it was only good luck that no one was injured.
At least poor treatment of workers in the UAE seems to be getting increasing press these days. As a poor reputation in this area might affect the tourist industry, I'm hopeful that eventually conditions will improve. In the meantime be generous with your tips!
Although the system seems a bit better in Abu Dhabi, it still leaves the drivers with very little take-home pay at the end of the day. Apparently the fee for taxis hasn't changed in about 25 years, though of course the cost of living has increased. Although this may be good for the riders, it's obviously not good for the drivers. It's not only taxi drivers that suffer in the UAE. What would happen to this country if workers started receiving a fair wage? Honestly, I don't know how some of these workers survive on their salaries.
slagothor - thanks for pointing that out, I will amend!
Yeah, I'd love to be driven in a taxi by someone who hasn't slept in 24 hours.
I don't believe that the meter completely stops if the car is not moving. This could be different between one company and another. However, it does count slower than if it were moving.
I ride taxis every now and then (especially if I were to go out and have a few drinks). I have seen all kinds of taxi drivers, from the religious fanatic to the grumpy to the excessively happy no matter what. I tip depending on the conversation (or lack of -- I don't always want to talk) ;)
I am very glad that there is such a movement, of workers striking and demanding more rights and compensation for their work. It's about time the labor market here becomes more responsive to the suppliers of labor as opposed to it being a pure modern slavery.
There's a reason that you can't find a taxi in Dubai when the traffic is moving at a crawl. And it's not that all the taxis are taken.
True - my friend takes a cab to work everyday; same route, some company. He ends up paying more if his ride got caught in traffic..
I usually tip very well, however, when you get in a cab and the guy has no idea where a major landmark or hotel is you have to wonder what is going on.
It's not uncommon for the driver to have been in the country a fortnight and he's now responsible for not only getting you to your destination but also being comfortable and aware on the roads.
When unsure, rather than ask you to explain where you want to go (as this may offend) they just drive off and hope that you'll notice and send them the right way.
The strike was a very good move by the Metro cab drivers. I think they took a leaf out of the books of the NY underground strike. Sad to say, though, I think the standard response will be for the management to let the drivers come back to work, lull them into a sense of management concern about their welfare and then fire them all as soon as they can, or phase this batch of drivers out. They can do that here since no just labour law is applied in this region. One day this abuse of employee rights must come to an end.
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