Casablanca - Since the 2015 arrival of Uber in Casablanca, taxi drivers have been in protest of the service, claiming they are losing clientele to an illegitimate service.
Casablanca – Since the 2015 arrival of Uber in Casablanca, taxi drivers have been in protest of the service, claiming they are losing clientele to an illegitimate service.
On December 27, LesEco reports, red taxis affiliated with the Democratic Federation of Work (FDT) gathered to protest against the popular app, holding signs saying “Uber Dégage,” which means “Uber Get Out” in French.
A video exclusive gathered by ChoufTV shows demonstrators at the event:
One protestor tells ChoufTV that “These people came in, without right, without justification.”
“They’re operating this business unlawfully,” another said.
Meanwhile, one protester tried to highlight the positive aspects of riding taxis, saying, “if people have a problem with the service provided to them by a taxi, they can go to the taxi bureau and process a claim.
Hicham, an Uber driver in the city, tells Morocco World News that “It’s a conflict of interest. Uber drivers don’t pay taxes and other fees, while taxis pay various fees and have to rent their car out. Uber is a competitor for them.”
Abdelmoughit Bouchaib, Secretary General of the National Union of Taxi Drivers, told LesEco that a meeting with the city’s wali was held last year to discuss Uber’s alleged unlawful conduct, but nothing has come of it since.