CHINA> Regional
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CHINA> Regional
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Taxi drivers go on strike in two Chinese cities
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-28 21:53 GUANGZHOU - Hundreds of taxi drivers took to the streets over the past two days in two southern Chinese cities in Guangdong Province, demanding the government limit the number of licensed taxis and resolutely crack down on unlicensed cabs. They rallied on a square outside the municipal government building in Chaozhou since Thursday morning, but no violence was reported, said Su Yangqin, head of the Chaozhou Municipal Transport Bureau. "Most of the taxis are operating today, though more than 10 taxis and their drivers are still gathered on the square," he said. A protesting driver surnamed Wang said they had staged a strike earlier this month, but the government had not fulfilled their promises to crack down on illegal taxis or stop issuing more license plates to taxis. "Therefore we have to go on strike again," he said. Licensed drivers have complained too many taxis were operating in Chaozhou and unlicensed taxis stole their business. The city has about 800 licensed taxis, according to Su. "In response, we have decided not to issue new license plates to taxis in the coming two years. We will also take resolute measures to crack down on the illegal taxis," he said. Su also revealed that about 30 drivers had complained to the government that they were unwilling to go on strike, but they were forced to do so by some other drivers. Yet Su did not say how the government will treat the issue. In the neighboring city of Jieyang, taxi drivers have rallied on a square in front of a railway station since Wednesday morning, protesting the same issues as those in Chaozhou. They also called for establishing a drivers' association and reducing rental fees paid to the taxi companies. Almost 100 taxis and their drivers were still gathered on the square on Friday and dozens of drivers also protesting outside the municipal government building. |
