LOCAL taxi operations are crying foul that the on-going factory workers strike which is in its sixth day has negatively affected the transport sector.
news
May 21, 2021
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Taxi operators hurt by factory workers strike
The Maseru Region Taxi Operators spokesperson Lebohang Moea
The Maseru Region Taxi Operators (MRTO) spokesperson Lebohang Moea, said the bulk of their business entails transporting tens of thousands of factory workers to and from work.
“Clearly if they do not go to work, our businesses suffer tremendously, this is a huge loss to us indeed,” he said.
The past few days, he said have been quite difficult for them as most of their vehicles were parked at their respective home because there was no business.
Mr Moea therefore urged the government to tread carefully when dealing with the issue, saying that it is already having serious financial implications on other sectors, besides the transport industry.
He condemned police for their brutality against the workers, saying there are better and civilised ways to handle picketers.
A cab driver who identified himself as Thabo Sekantši said the past days have been a night mare for him because there were no passengers.
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“Most of my regular customers are the factory workers and with them not going to work, my collection at the end of the day is at its lowest,” he said.
He appealed to government to amicably resolve the wage dispute with the factory workers as it affects the entire country’s economy.
The strike started last week Friday and the workers unions have threatened to keep it going until the government releases the wage gazettes for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 in respect of the factory workers’ salary increment. LeNA
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