Taxi cooperatives in Luanda go on strike in March

The union of cooperatives and associations of taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers in Luanda complains about the lack of response from the authorities to their concerns, such as the withdrawal of support, and promises to stop on March 25 and 26.

In a conversation with Lusa this Wednesday, Antonio Freitas, representative of this structure that brings together four cooperatives and three associations, lamented the abolition of the gasoline subsidy, although these professionals were not heard, although he defends an alternative solution to fuel cards.

Last June, the Angolan government began phasing out fuel subsidies, starting with gasoline but excluding some economic activities.

Farmers and artisan fishermen, taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers have become the beneficiaries of this exemption, which will end on April 30, by delivering cards with a daily limit of 7,000 kwanzas (eight euros) to cover the difference between 160 kwanzas (0.17 euros). euros) per liter, which costs current gasoline 300 kwanzas (0.33 euros).

“We want subsidies, but not through cards, it was just a big deal,” he criticized, adding that more than 7,000 cards were to be distributed to taxi drivers and they remained in the hands of municipal administrations.

In other cases, he continued, “the cards arrived empty (without a light)” or remained uncharged for up to three months.

“We want to know where this money ended up,” he asked.

“We are open to dialogue until the 18th. If they do not comment, then from this day we will start posting papers in taxis (calling for a strike on the 25th and 26th),” he emphasized.

Other demands include setting up taxi ranks and updating taxi routes.

“We want certain routes,” defended the association leader, stressing that prices should also be updated, without going into details of the proposal they intend to present to the Angolan authorities.

A taxi ride now costs 150 kwanzas (16 cents).

Private nine-seater taxis, known as candongueiros or “blue-and-whites”, and motorcycle taxis are the cheapest and most popular forms of transport in Angola, especially in the capital Luanda, where thousands of young people devote themselves to this activity.

The Union of Cooperatives and Associations also intends to legalize the transport known as “guira_bairro” (private vehicles for the public transport of passengers) and to comply with the decree-law establishing the legal regime applicable to the activities of taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers. .

According to António Freitas, these professionals are currently in an illegal situation because they do not yet have the professional card required by their diploma.

“Still no one has a license, so the activity is illegal, but you have to pay for a license to operate, insurance, etc.” – he asked.

The intention to cease the operation of taxis and motorcycle taxis due to six points of major concern was communicated to the Luanda provincial government on 11 March.

According to the memo, which Lusa had access to, representatives of cooperatives and associations met with provincial authorities on January 8 to present their demands, but have not received a response since then.