Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3124125/who-cares-about-hong-kongs-taxi-drivers
Comment/ Letters

Who cares about Hong Kong’s taxi drivers?

  • We worry about being infected by our drivers during the pandemic, but few may have considered the risks they take to earn a living
Taxi drivers petition for more cash subsidies outside the government’s headquarters last December, after being left out in the previous round of relief measures. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong citizens tend to take taxi drivers for granted. Few are aware of the hard lives they lead.

Taxi drivers have a contract to rent the vehicles, there are no welfare packages or guarantees of protection attached. These are very meagre terms of employment indeed! Their income is low and unstable, especially for those working the night shift. During the pandemic, even with reduced taxi rents and six months of government wage subsidies, they can hardly make ends meet. Compared to bus and minibus drivers, the job of a taxi driver is really undesirable. That is why few youngsters wish to join the trade.

Each taxi driver carries one or more passengers in a small enclosed space inside his or her vehicle. As passengers, we worry about being infected by our drivers during the pandemic, but have we ever considered the risks they take should any of their passengers be virus carriers?

There are times when taxi drivers become the epicentre of complaints in town. When people are unhappy, they can simply vent their frustrations on them. Some complaints are justified but most are not. Taxi drivers are rarely given the chance to explain or defend themselves. Their unions often choose to remain silent. These bosses only aim to make a profit and are hardly ever sympathetic.

Taxi drivers who do not make enough for a living have resorted to applying for government allowances. Some have gone to mainland China for a change. Those who remain are living hand to mouth. No one is happy.

And it is not just the taxi drivers. Everyone in the job market is suffering these days. No one can tell how long the pandemic will last, but one thing is for sure – everyone is a loser at the end of the day.

Jacqueline Kwan, Sai Ying Pun

Thank you for top-class service at ID card centre

In contrast to most of your letters, I would like to write a letter of praise – for the exceptional service I received at the ID card replacement centre in Shui On Centre, Wan Chai.

I was greeted by friendly staff at the entrance and was in and out in 15 minutes. The whole team were friendly and professional. I would like to thank everyone there for their excellent work.

Dr Brigitte Schlaikier, honorary assistant professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Hong Kong