Taxi drivers want the government to allow them to establish a union to defend themselves like other sector workers in the country.

Association of Malaysia Taxi Drivers, Rental Cars, Premium Executive Limo (Perjiwa) president Zailani Isausuludin said this t would prove the government’s commitment in strengthening and upgrading the taxi industry.

He said the establishment of a union is to ensure the rights of taxi drivers and their family members.

“We know that all workers in Malaysia have their own union. We have applied for over a year but our application has been declined.

“We come from Johor, Kelantan, Melaka, Pulau Pinang, Negeri Sembilan and other states to gather with unity.”

“With unity, we would be given the opportunity to defend the fate of taxi drivers. We want to show the government that there are no signs of discord among us,” he said during a press conference at the Malaysian Taxi Driver Association Congress here today.

In the same ceremony, Kuala Langat MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid was appointed as Perjiwa advisor.

Before this Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) chief executive officer Datuk Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said starting June 1 this year, all taxi drivers who are self-employed can obtain social security protection through the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme.

Taxi drivers eligible for protection under the scheme are Malaysians or permanent residents and are registered with the Land Public Services Commission (SPAD) and Commercial Vehicle Licensing Agency Malaysia (LPKP) for Sabah and Sarawak.

Zailani who said they are not against the use of ride-hailing services denied that Uber and GrabCar affected their income.