Taxi damage fines dropped after protest

ABU DHABI // Taxi drivers won a reprieve yesterday from huge fines being levied on them, after a mass protest at their employer's offices. More than 200 drivers demonstrated at Al Ghazal Transport's main garage in Mussafah, complaining about working conditions. Some said they were being fined as much as Dh10,000 for minor damage to their cars. Officials from TransAd, the capital's taxi regulator, attended the protest. The regulator said later that Al Ghazal had been ordered to waive the damage fines.

"As soon as we had been notified about this issue, we intervened by asking the company to withdraw the policy introduced against the deduction towards accidents," TransAd said. "Franchisees must get approval before they introduce any policy or scheme. Since this was not followed, we have called for an explanation, and further action shall be taken to prevent such incidents." A senior Al Ghazal official who was at yesterday's protest declined to comment.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: "We are being charged too much money. If we have the smallest of scratches on the car, we get a fine of Dh2,500 from the company." Drivers said the fines were taken out of their monthly wage. "A lot of the time it is not our fault but we have to pay it," said the same driver. "There is no other option." All drivers receive a basic salary of Dh800 a month, plus accommodation off Abu Dhabi island. They are paid commission on takings of more than Dh6,000 a month.

Drivers said they were unaware of the conditions before they joined Al Ghazal. Several complained about other conditions, but the outcome of their complaints was unknown. Some were unhappy about speeding fines issued by the company, on top of police fines. "If we are speeding, we are fined by the police, which is around Dh600, and then by the company. The first fine is Dh100, the second is Dh200 and the third is Dh500," said a driver.

Drivers who wanted to take a holiday needed three witnesses to sign for them before they went, it was claimed. "If they don't come back from their holiday or are late coming back, the witnesses are then fined," said a driver. Al Ghazal refused to comment. @Email:eharnan@thenational.ae