Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has defended the rights of taxi drivers to move the Labour Ministry to find a solution to the revised target row.
Several taxi drivers of franchise companies filed complaints with the Ministry of Labour demanding either a final settlement of their entitlements at the earliest or having the target rates revoked, reported 'Al Ittihad' newspaper.
SPTC said: "It is the right of any driver to approach the Ministry of Labour and demand his rights guaranteed by law in return to the implementation of his commitments contained and stipulated in the contract of employment."
Drivers have been working on a commission system since taxi services were launched in the emirate in 2004, SPTC added.
About 600 drivers of taxi companies, during a rally outside the Labour Ministry, urged SPTC to cancel their contracts within two weeks so they could return to their home countries. Most of them are Asians.
They called on the ministry to help resolve the case by either returning to the old system, wherein they took about Dh2,700 monthly or cancel their visas at the earliest. As per the new remuneration system, Dh1,400 will be deducted from their earnings, claim protesting drivers.
A total of about 4,860 taxis of different companies operate in Sharjah.
SPTC had said earlier that 52fils would be deducted from the commission of drivers for each mile travelled after the metre is opened.