Pandemic has left taxi drivers without support, says union
TAXI drivers in Cardiff have staged a protest over the lack of financial support that they have received from the Welsh government during the pandemic.
The demonstration, which was led by the Unite union, began at 10.30am outside the Welsh government offices in Cathays.
Taxi driver Tariq Majid said: “We understand we’re not the only ones suffering, the whole world is suffering, but a lot of people have had a lot of help. We have just been left in the curb basically, in the gutter, because we’ve had no financial help at all.”
“Our income has gone from whatever we were earning to maybe 15 or 20 percent. Some guys are working 10 hours and are going home with £30 if they’re lucky.”
“If you look at the insurances or the cost of our cars, we can’t feed our family and children on that amount of money. We’ve approached certain authorities for help and they haven’t really been forthcoming.”
Mr Majid, who has been a taxi driver in Cardiff for three years, said that drivers who have vulnerable family members have been put in a difficult position.
“My wife is an MS sufferer so I have to be very careful with keeping my social distance and taking all the precautions that I should do.”
“We’ve asked the council to come forward and give us grants for screens to be fitted, which is not just for our safety, it’s also for the safety of the passengers. It’s a two-way thing. That hasn’t been put forward to us, it hasn’t been accepted.”
An online petition created by Unite asking the Welsh government to “Support Welsh Taxi Drivers” has so far received over 1,700 signatures.
Unite is asking for the creation of a “hardship fund scheme” in addition to other measures such as funding for mental health support for drivers who struggle with anxiety and isolation.
Alan McCarthy, regional officer for Unite Wales, said: “There seems to be a severe lack of understanding from ministers about just how taxi drivers are impacted by the restrictions from Covid.”
“Taxi drivers rely on the trades that have been restricted all the way through this pandemic, so they’ve been in dire situations since March, and it’s been unceasing for them.”
“Tourism, Six Nations, concerts at the stadium, all of those things that taxi drivers thrive on, disappeared over night.”
“Northern Ireland have put in assistance funds set to specifically support for taxis in place of £1500 for each taxi driver for every driver in Northern Ireland. Scotland have put a £30 million fund together which will be means tested for taxi drivers specifically.”
“We believe Welsh government can do the same, not just for drivers in Cardiff, but for taxi drivers and Unite Wales members across all of Wales.”
“And that’s why they’ve been standing here today to say to ministers – ‘were not like regular self-employed people. We are suffering and we need assistance now’.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Funding has been available through the local authority discretionary grant and non-domestic relief but we recognise the extent of the challenge that coronavirus has caused.”
“We are in regular discussion with the sector and will continue to review what support can be made available.”
“We are taking on board the safety concerns expressed by unions and are considering what support could be provided to address the welfare of passengers and drivers.”
