Brussels taxi drivers to strike on 12 December

The Federation of Belgian Taxi Drivers (Febet) has submitted an intention to strike on Tuesday, 12 December. The Federation is protesting the continued presence of Uber in Brussels.

Febet represents licensed and official taxi drivers in Brussels. Uber is not considered a taxi company and therefore can operate without taxi licences.

Uber falls under the limousine laws, requiring another sort of licence, which is relatively easy to get. Although it cannot be hailed on the street with such a licence, Uber operates via smartphone app.

Brussels mobility minister Pascal Smet (SP.A) called Uber “legal” yesterday in the media, leading the city’s taxi drivers to complain. The statement was “a provocation,” said Febet in a statement.

“Minister Smet said that the most immoral company on the planet can continue driving around in Brussels as ‘limousines’. This gives illegal operations permission to break or bend the law.”

Smet is basing his statement on a judgement by the Constitutional Court from 2010, said Febet, “but what he didn’t say is that the same judgement required the Brussels region to adapt an ordinance because it allows limousine drivers from other regions to circumvent the law”.

The federation wants this ordinance to be adjusted and will continue protest actions until it is, it said.

Photo: A Brussels taxi driver protests against Uber
©Thierry Roge/BELGA