Taxi drivers in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi hold protest rallies on May 1, marking International Labour Day, to demand improved working conditions.
Drivers say thousands employed in the sector are forced to work under difficult conditions due to high commissions, low fares and what they describe as unfair account blockages.
“Therefore, we, the taxi drivers of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi, decided to unite and disconnect the application in order to improve our working conditions,” they said.
The trade union has also released a list of demands addressed to taxi companies including Bolt, Maxim Taxi and Yandex, calling for negotiations to resolve the issues.
The demands include reducing commissions to 10%, setting a minimum fare of 2 GEL per kilometre, and providing health insurance for drivers.
They also call for traffic jam time to be included in fares, adjustments to pick-up and drop-off points to avoid issues with police and cameras, and the opening of company offices in major cities to address driver complaints.
Other demands include restoring the waiting button to its original version, preventing account blocks due to low activity scores, and ensuring that in Tbilisi companies cover fines for drivers registered without licences.
Drivers also demand that account suspensions be applied only in line with Labour Code provisions, better recognition of difficult and remote routes, introduction of a night tariff, correction of mileage errors, and the signing of a collective agreement with employee representatives.
