Posted:
03.12.2024 17:46:00
Taxi drivers protest in Paris, block traffic
In the historical centre of Paris, near Hôtel des Invalides, taxi drivers staged a protest against their deteriorating labour conditions, TASS reports
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Protestors burned flares and carried banners saying ‘Taxi is in danger’, ‘Taxi drivers are angry’. They blocked traffic together with police who had closed off all the streets around Les Invalides. About 500 taxicabs from various French regions took part in the rally.
“Taxi drivers from all over the country came here today to protest. Our key demand is to not lower the patient transfer tariffs compensated directly from the national healthcare insurance system,” said Bechir, the rally organiser.
Drivers expect to be compensated as per rates set by the healthcare insurance, not taximetre readings.
According to Bechir, they protested against unfair competition by ‘American taxi platforms like Uber’.
“These American companies enter the country, but they don’t pay taxes. We, registered taxi drivers, are expected to work at lower rates instead. This is unacceptable,” said the protest organiser.
One of the protestors, Madeleine, added that ‘if the common tariffs are approved, taxi drivers will see their earnings slashed’.
“If the no confidence vote for the government is passed, we have a chance. If not, we will have to start from scratch. We are going to lose our companies if nothing changes,” she complained.
Taxi drivers also protested at the Boulevard Périphérique and the A1 highway that connects Paris to the northern regions of France and the city of Lille.
Protestors burned flares and carried banners saying ‘Taxi is in danger’, ‘Taxi drivers are angry’. They blocked traffic together with police who had closed off all the streets around Les Invalides. About 500 taxicabs from various French regions took part in the rally.
“Taxi drivers from all over the country came here today to protest. Our key demand is to not lower the patient transfer tariffs compensated directly from the national healthcare insurance system,” said Bechir, the rally organiser.
Drivers expect to be compensated as per rates set by the healthcare insurance, not taximetre readings.
According to Bechir, they protested against unfair competition by ‘American taxi platforms like Uber’.
“These American companies enter the country, but they don’t pay taxes. We, registered taxi drivers, are expected to work at lower rates instead. This is unacceptable,” said the protest organiser.
One of the protestors, Madeleine, added that ‘if the common tariffs are approved, taxi drivers will see their earnings slashed’.
“If the no confidence vote for the government is passed, we have a chance. If not, we will have to start from scratch. We are going to lose our companies if nothing changes,” she complained.
Taxi drivers also protested at the Boulevard Périphérique and the A1 highway that connects Paris to the northern regions of France and the city of Lille.
