Dongguan cabbies launch strike amid business slowdown

Dongguan authorities are considering reducing licence rental fees for taxis after many cabbies went on strike yesterday, protesting against a steep drop in their business that some believe is tied to the recent crackdown on the city's once-booming sex industry.

The city government released a statement saying that about 50 taxi drivers staged an "unauthorised" strike yesterday afternoon to demand a 2,000 yuan (HK$2,500) cut in their 8,000 yuan monthly rental fee.

Several cabbies disputed the official account and said thousands of drivers - not just 50 - were taking part in the strike.

"We organised the strike for a few days and notified most taxi drivers across the city through fliers and via phone messages," said a taxi driver who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"I have made only about 5,000 yuan in total since February when the raids on prostitutes began," he lamented.

The man estimated that about 70 per cent of Dongguan's taxi drivers were taking part in the strike.

The official website of the Dongguan transportation authority said the city had some 7,691 cabbies.