Taxi drivers protest against conditions

ABU DHABI // Taxi drivers with Q Link continued to protest against their living conditions yesterday, congregating outside their accommodations in Khalifa City B until police arrived and forced them to go inside.

The drivers said they had not been paid in two months, and were not allowed to work.

Faced with living in accommodations full of debris, insects and contaminated water, the drivers were asking for help because they said they could not stand the situation any longer.

"We've been in this accommodation for three months, and since two months we're not getting our basic salary, which is Dh800, which is just enough to get food," said Tawfik Mohammed, a 38-year-old Egyptian.

The drivers said they have filed complaints with the Human Rights Association and the Ministry of Labour.

Al Qudrah holdings, the parent company of Q Link, said it was paying the salaries of its employees, and there was only a delay of one month's salary.

The company said the payment would be processed yesterday. The company said it was providing the drivers with accommodation reaching required standards.

The drivers disagreed.

"We have no money, no food, no water, nothing. Even the water they provide us with is contaminated," said Magdi Rashad, a 30-year-old Egyptian. "I want to go back home, work anything over there and help my family."

The drivers are unable to resign because they cannot afford the visa cancellation fees, and would have to forfeit monies owed.

TransAD, which holds seven taxi franchises, has begun the process of shutting down Q Link, with complete closure in February, because Q Link has been in breach of an agreement.

newsdesk@thenational.ae