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29 March 2024

Dubai cabbies dress code relaxed: Ties not must

Published
By VM Sathish with inputs by Majorie Van Leijen

Taxi drivers in Dubai have been allowed to leeway to don - or not to don - a necktie... and many have welcomed the dress code relaxation by removing their neckties during duty timings.

Taxi companies and officials of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that the relaxation has been given in consideration of the drivers’ convenience... and not as a safety protection against potential crime.

Some cabbies told Emirates 24|7 said they are not wearing neckties anymore after the alleged strangling of a driver with his necktie, and after receiving instructions from their company to do so.

They alleged that an Asian driver was strangled to death by a gang who hired his cab with the intention to rob. Neither the RTA nor the police have confirmed the incident.

“We received a circular from the head office asking us to remove neckties. Earlier, we were fined for not wearing the uniform appropriately. Now, not wearing a tie is not considered an offence,” said an Asian taxi driver working for Dubai Taxi.

He alleged that a gang of thieves hired the cab of an Asian driver with the intention to rob him.

Once they got into the taxi, they forced the driver to an isolated place and silenced him by tightening his tie around his neck, said another taxi driver.

“All taxi drivers in Dubai have thus stopped using neckties because it is risky,” he added.

“Taxi drivers are scared of wearing neckties because it is easy to overpower or strangle them with it,” added the Asian taxi driver. “We have a circular posted at our accommodation asking us not to wear the neckties anymore,” he said.

However, taxi companies and the Road Transport Authority did not confirm the alleged strangling of the taxi driver using his necktie, or that there are any recent changes in the uniform rules. “We are not informed of any changes in the taxi drivers’ uniforms. We have no updates about the changes in the rules. We know wearing a necktie and other uniforms is part of the service rules and we have not been informed of any recent changes,” said an official from the RTA Customer Services Department.

Meanwhile, taxi companies diverted our inquiries to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which is overseeing the operation of all taxis operating in Dubai.

However, according to Youssef Ali, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, taxi drivers are permitted to take off their ties, but it is to convenience the drivers rather than for protection. “This was approved three to four months ago, as I believe. Because taxi drivers make shifts of 12 hours a day, taking off the tie might be more convenient for them. This was requested by taxi drivers and approved by the RTA in response. The measure was not taken in response to crime, but to accommodate the drivers.”

A Sharjah taxi driver said: “We are wearing neckties in Sharjah and Ajman because there is no change in uniform rules. Wearing a tie is a must here, otherwise we will be fined.” The same opinion is aired by taxi drivers in Ajman too.