The taxi drivers of Ibiza town resist the installation of a biometric control device for drivers, using fingerprints for example, despite the fact that the draft of the new ordinance that will regulate the operation of the sector will force its implementation in the cars.
Vila’s Councilor for Mobility, Aitor Morrás, recently offered at a meeting with representatives of the taxi associations of the municipality (minus those who have salaries), the possibility of closing an agreement on this issue in exchange for withdrawing the obligation to stop vehicles one day a week this summer. There has been no response yet, which Morrás interprets as a refusal.
In fact, the also second deputy mayor of Ibiza has always told taxi drivers that if they accept the installation of a biometric control system the mandatory breaks will not be imposed, but the sector has always refused. This time, Morrás put the same offer on the table, but with the difference that he would not force the installation of the control devices yet, but to agree on the conditions of its implementation in the new taxi ordinance. “If we could reach a consensus we would remove the day off now, but they have not wanted to“, regrets Morrás.
In any case, the intention of the Consistory that taxi drivers rest at least one day a week during the season as a matter of “safety and quality of service”, does not change and so it would be reflected in the ordinance. The proposed ordinance that Morrás has already delivered to the taxi drivers prevents them from driving more than 12 consecutive hours in a day and cannot accumulate more than 60 hours in the weekly running total. In other words, if a cab driver were to drive 12 hours a day, he would be obliged to stop two days a week.
Nine months for installation in taxis
It must also be taken into account that, in the case of salaried employees, the labor legislation obliges them to work a maximum of 40 hours a week plus overtime, which is also limited by law. License holders are self-employed.
The draft ordinance stipulates that, within nine months of its approval, taxi drivers will be required to install biometric control devices in their vehicles. However, Morrás wants to close an agreement with them in the drafting of this regulation and thus avoid an appeal.
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