Dominica taxi drivers hold protest action

January 14, 2009

From:thedominican.net |Thompson Fontaine|

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Taxi operators showed their concerns last week over what they called ‘unfair treatment’ given to taxi drivers in Dominica. Protest actions were held after some of the drivers registered under the Combined Taxi Association claimed that drivers with ‘organized tours’ are given preferential treatment, while the other certified taxi drivers are limited in their quest to undertake private tours.

After speaking to the local media, several of the taxi drivers said that they hold certified Identification Cards given to them by the National Development Corporation (NDC) and the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA), but still they are restricted from the bay front, and are seeking an explanation on the matter.

One taxi driver Fitzroy Dorsette said: “They said that the entire bay front is restricted and they gave us IDs which give us permission to the restricted areas. We want to know why we are not authorized on the bay front, we don’t know why.”

Tourism in Dominica is considered as the main source of revenue for the island, and provides jobs for thousands of Dominicans both directly and indirectly. Another taxi driver, Dorival James said that one of the IDs given to the taxi drivers quotes: ‘This card should be worn in all the authority’s restricted areas,’ and so he believes that respect should be given to all taxi drivers who hold IDs.

He called on the relevant authorities to address the matter immediately, or further action will be taken, since such imperative matters can result in the loss of revenue for all parties involved.

“If someone doesn’t solve this problem ASAP, the country is going to lose. I may lose US$150, but the country will lose millions and more. We need somebody to come and talk to us as men and respect us for who we are; everyone can’t be lawyers, teachers and doctors. We need some respect, we deserve it,” a frustrated James said.

Meantime, General Manager of DASPA, Benoit Bardouille said that there is a legislation known as the SRO 25 of 2007, which caters for the equitable distribution as it relates to taxi drivers. While Bardouille said that he understands the plight of the taxi operators, he advised them to meet with their executive and bring their concerns to them, so that a legitimate solution can be given to the matter. Bardouille viewed the protest as an inappropriate approach in solving the issue.

“I think what they need to do is call their executive together and put all their concerns to the executive and lodge those complains. I don’t think it is fair to stand on the side and make accusations without actually having the facts to do that. They have an organization, they can call a meeting, but I don’t think that talking about a protest is in fact correct. They need to have the executive answer those questions, sit down and deal with it. I think that probably is the best solution,” Bardouille said.

DASPA’s General Manager said that DASPA would meet with the taxi drivers, as a means of further bringing an amicable solution to the issue in the quickest possible time.