Moroccan Taxi Drivers Threaten Strike Over Permit Fees and Regulations

The conflict between taxi drivers and permit holders is escalating. The issue is the increase in the "premium" in exchange for the authorization to operate taxis after the expiration of the contracts, as well as circular No. 750 of the Ministry of the Interior. This circular specifies that the operating contracts expire six months after the death of the permit holder. To make themselves heard, the Democratic Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) threatens to organize protest actions and trigger a national strike.

"There are many problems between the taxi professionals and the permit holders, and this conflict is starting to intensify due to the expiration of the contracts, as the permit holders are starting to demand a ’premium’, which is unacceptable," said the secretary general of the Democratic Moroccan Labor Union (UMT), affiliated with the National Labor Union of Morocco (UNTM), to AlAyam24. According to him, "the current situation is difficult due to the economic and social crises caused by the coronavirus pandemic".

The union leader continues: "The sector has experienced haphazard management by the administration and the competent authorities, as the Ministry of the Interior is supposed to protect the rights and duties of the workers in the sector, whether they are drivers or operators." He points to the latest circular of the Ministry of the Interior No. 750. According to him, this circular "is the straw that broke the camel’s back, as it gave reason to the owners of the authorizations without equity for the other party".

The unionist will note: "Ministerial circular No. 444 and also No. 750 did not provide guarantees to the operators, whether during their lifetime or after their death, contrary to what was granted to the owners of the authorizations." He also denounces the inaction of the Ministry of the Interior and informs that his trade union movement has written to the department of Abdelouafi Laftit at the beginning of this month to resume the dialogue rounds and discuss the problems facing the sector.