• BRANDON VAN WYKTHE Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU)’s president Werner Januarie has made a U-turn on the 20% taxi fare increase, saying he will fight for the remaining 30% his union initially wanted.
Speaking at a press briefing in Windhoek yesterday, he revealed plans of taking the government to court to lift a law he claims obstructed the implementation of the 50% taxi fare increase they campaigned for.
“We are already consulting lawyers so that we can take the government to court. They need to get rid of that law to give unions power to negotiate better conditions for taxi drivers, such as the 50% increment we wanted,” Januarie revealed.
He claimed that the Road and Transportation Act of 1977 does not accommodate taxi drivers, hence it obstructs better negotiation with the government.
Two weeks ago when the transportation board announced the taxi fare increase, Januarie said it was a win for them as they had initially requested a 20% increase.
“We initially wanted something in the region of 30%, but then we decided on 20%, which we got yesterday, so it is a win for us,” he said at the time.
The unionist said the 50% increase they had requested during negotiations was in protest after the transportation board had involved other associations, such as the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta), in the fare rise negotiations.
He, however, said the hindrance to the 50% increase was the Road Transportation Act that he wants removed so that he can pursue the remaining 30% increase.
“That law is outdated and no longer caters for taxi drivers. In fact, according to that law, they are non-existing, so we should do away with such laws,” Januarie charged.
“The 50% increment we are getting, I can assure you, but we have to rectify this law first,” he added. He furthermore felt the Road Transportation Act of 1977 should be amended by the government so that a new modernised law can be implemented.
“Taxi drivers are not regarded as employees under the law, and that is part of the reason they want a new law to be implemented,” he stated, adding that he wanted to improve conditions for taxi drivers.
A member of the union, Daniel Gideon, supported Januarie by saying he was fighting for their betterment.
“This tate is fighting for us, and I think we should all support him, starting with buying the price list (costing N$75) because this money will be used to pay the lawyers,” said Gideon.
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