Ride-hailing app drivers protest in Brussels over rising costs and competition

euronews (in English)

At least 200 drivers employed by ride-hailing platforms including Uber are demanding lower commissions, higher pay rates, and unified rules for taxis and so-called street cabs in Belgium.

Transcript

00:00Dozens of drivers were parked in the middle of the street in front of the Uber offices

00:06in the European Parliament in Brussels.

00:09They're protesting against rising commissions and competition from other ride-share apps

00:13and traditional taxis.

00:16According to Shah Sayed, a street cab driver, the current commission of 25 percent is going

00:21up a further 10 percent.

00:23It's catastrophic, frankly, it's really catastrophic.

00:26Personally, I earn half of what I used to earn.

00:31Cutting further into their incomes, ride-hailing drivers are being forced to switch to electric

00:37vehicles by January 2025.

00:40Politicians reported in two years this electrification because we are not ready.

00:44There are no charging ports and even no means.

00:48Since we complain about profitability, we will not impose vehicles that cost 50 to 70

00:53The association is calling on the Parliament to improve regulation of the sector, specifically

00:58in capping the commissions.

01:01Traditional taxi drivers also took part in the demonstration and expressed frustration

01:06over working conditions and wages as a result of unfair competition from ride-sharing apps.

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