Taxi groups have warned there might be mass evasion of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) by drivers.
The Taxi Operators' Association, whose members make up about half the taxi force, said many drivers had indicated they would not join a scheme.
Chairman David Leung Siu-cheong said: 'Some drivers, especially those of the younger generation, see taxi-driving as a temporary occupation and once the economy is booming again, they will look elsewhere for jobs that give better financial returns.' There are about 18,000 licensed taxis, with about 203,000 licence-holders eligible to drive them. Drivers either have their own taxis or rent them from operators.
In either case, they are deemed self-employed under the MPF and are required to make the minimum five per cent monthly contribution if their earnings exceed $4,000.
Taxi drivers earn on average about $7,000 to $8,000 a month.
Northwest Area Taxi Drivers' & Operators' Association chairman Wong Wing-chung said drivers would think of ways to skip the schemes.