MODERN DAY SLAVERY
slurs included being called p***s, n****r, slaves and terrorists along with many other disgusting words. The patience of the drivers was tested to the limit by disrespectful passengers.
As well as verbal abuse some drivers also faced physical abuse. Passengers would irritate drivers by unnecessarily putting the win- dows down, by playing the radio on full blast and causing damage to the vehicle’s interior. Some would direct the driver aimlessly and then run off without paying. In spite of all this, drivers would wipe away their tears, calm themselves down and carry on working.
In some circumstances drivers would complain to the police and licensing authorities but to no avail. However, when the tables were turned and a customer complained about a driver, the licensing authorities would rigorously examine the driver. As a result of this taxi drivers are now living and working in unfair cir- cumstances. Drivers know if their licence is taken away or suspended, they will struggle to survive financially and be able to make ends meet.
At the same time there are also drivers who do not appreciate or respect their profession. They are rude and unpleasant with cus- tomers, with some drivers also sometimes becoming aggressive. These types of drivers also drive in a rough manner leading to customers feeling uneasy and unsafe. The vehicles of these drivers are often not clean and some linger with cigarette smoke even though smoking within the taxi vehicle is not allowed. Cus- tomers also feel uncomfortable when taxi drivers answer phone calls and speak in another language. The dress code of some drivers is also unprofessional.
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE
It is unacceptable the way the taxi business is run and the appalling conditions the drivers have to face. Drivers work long unsociable hours with many working seven days a week. Long shifts also mean lengthy periods of sitting inside the vehicle waiting for a fare. This waiting time can at times be anything from 45 to 85 minutes. It is awful to have to work on average a 12-plus hour shift and still not take home a basic living wage after expenses.
There is no justification for these tough working conditions. Fur- thermore, the rent that the cab offices are charging is extortionate. Car insurance and maintenance of general wear and tear adds to already high expenses. On top of this each year there is an increase in the local authority charges. In all these circum- stances the poor taxi drivers have no choice.
All of the aforementioned is why I argue the case that the taxi and private hire drivers’ profession is equivalent to modern day slav- ery. There is no protection from any governmental organisation to fight for the interests of taxi drivers. There needs to be regulation in place so that taxi drivers are treated fairly and their working conditions improved.
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The recent coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabil- ity of taxi drivers. They are at an even greater risk of infection compared to most people due to their dealings with the general public. Deaths amongst taxi drivers, as well as bus drivers, have been high. This situation is tragic and an alarming matter of con- cern, but sadly the response from local and national government has been that taxi services should continue as normal. It goes to show that taxi drivers’ lives are cheap.
Local licensing authorities and the government need to adopt a clear policy for disadvantaged taxi drivers to protect their inter- ests and their profession. New regulations and new rules need to be implemented; for example, fixed working hours, as well as average [private hire] fares being in line with hackney carriage fares and also in line with inflation. Private hire operators should have some insurance scheme in place to cover the driver.
As with the majority of employers there should be arrangements for sick pay, holiday entitlement and pension contributions. These contributions I suggest can be taken from the weekly rent that private hire firms charge the drivers. Private hire firm owners and the local authority should take responsibility for the wellbe- ing and safeguarding of drivers. For example, in the case of passengers taking off without making payment, this should be dealt with by the police or local authorities with a fixed penalty fine.
There should also be an independent panel to deal with a driver’s complaints in a timely manner. Regular meetings should also be arranged with the local authority and representatives of taxi drivers to discuss and address all the appropriate issues.
Basically Mr Ali’s narrative is on the same page as our current campaign: to try to right the wrongs that afflict this trade, and to make the appropriate people aware of the existence of #the forgotten industry.
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