Taxi drivers have started a protest against the government's decision to start a taxi line service in the Male' area.

A peaceful protest by taxi drivers against the government's taxi line was held this evening in Hulhumale'. Some drivers currently providing taxi services participated in the protest.

The protesting taxi drivers said that although they shared their concerns with the government, these concerns were not heard. They stated that this protest is to ensure the rights of taxi drivers. They also said that when the government starts the taxi line, the current taxi drivers will lose their livelihood.

"Actions taken by the government for the benefit of a specific group with a specific purpose are not acceptable. Therefore, this protest was carried out to voice the concerns that the government has not acknowledged," a driver participating in the protest told "One".

At a press conference held yesterday by the Drivers' Association, the Vice President of the association, Ahmed Habeeb, said that although they submitted the challenges that would arise with the government's taxi line to the Transport Ministry, they decided to protest as no solution was provided for these concerns. He also said that the protests will continue until a satisfactory response is received for their concerns.

Responding to questions from members of the Parliament's Economic Committee on October 29, regarding a case submitted by the Drivers' Association, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen said that the government has decided to assign a government-owned company to provide taxi services in the Male' area, and that MTCC is a suitable company for this work.

The Minister said that the taxi line service is planned to be carried out on the RTL bus concept operated by MTCC, but without subsidies and with the government providing the capital investment.

Minister Ameen said that 50 percent of the taxi line employees will be permanent employees, and the other 50 percent of slots will be released daily at different times for those who want to drive taxis at varying hours. He also said that it has been decided to pay drivers at a rate not less than 100 rufiyaa per hour, with salaries paid every seven days.

The Drivers' Association had also requested the Parliament in October to stop the program called "Male' Fahi Program" which aims to introduce a taxi line.