Taxi drivers to stage six-hour protest over lack of state support

Taxi drivers on Tuesday said they would go ahead with a six-hour work stoppage next week to demand state financial support.

Their statement came after the urban taxi sector was not included in the one-off grant announced by the finance ministry for this year.

The protest, which is expected to affect traffic, will take place between 7am to 1pm on Monday in central locations in the cities as well as near Larnaca and Paphos airports.

In a written statement, the taxi drivers’ association said that they had sent letters to the relevant ministries regarding their need for financial support, however they were “surprised” to hear the minister’s announcement for the support schemes does not include the urban taxi sector.

“The pandemic continues to affect the taxi industry to a very large extent,” the announcement said citing the significant decline in tourist arrivals.

As from November 2021 to date, 70 per cent of tourist units and tourist accommodations are closed and will continue to be until April 2022, resulting in an 85 per cent reduction in turnover, the taxi drivers said.