Taxi demo set to continue The taxi industry will today embark on a demonstration that is intended to lead to a nationwide strike. According to the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) president, Werner Januarie, the taxi drivers will embark on demonstrations immediately, followed by a national strike if the relevant authorities are not forthcoming with feedback on issues raised by the taxi drivers.
Januarie yesterday told Namibian Sun that the demonstration will start at Donkerhoek, Katutura, and proceed to the head office of the Ministry of Works and Transport where a petition will be handed over.
He said they expect immediate feedback from the ministry on issues raised in the petition.
The chief spokesperson for the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, told Namibian Sun that an agreement was reached between the union and the police that they may march on the agreed route but that only 20 vehicles may participate in the action.
Some of the issues raised by the union are that it wants taxi and bus drivers to be recognised as employees in order to start engaging employers in the industry.
They also want social protection, the introduction of basic salaries in the industry and a pay increase, which the union says would be a good start in attaining a sustainable standard of living.
Furthermore the union said the behaviour of police officers towards taxi drivers needs to change drastically, as their current attitude is “undesirable”.
The protection of taxi drivers’ rights as workers must also be addressed, it said.
Another concern is foreigners driving taxis, which the union claims is a contravention of several laws.
It threatened that if foreign drivers are found working during the strike they might “regret the decision”.
Januarie condemned the restriction on the number of taxis that may take part in the demonstration.
“We feel that we are being threatened and that the police are taking advantage of us because we are in a weak financial position and therefore they are putting unnecessary conditions on us,” he said.
ELLANIE SMIT