Taxi operators still in limbo as association fails to call meeting |27 June 2019

Seven months after the resignation of Jemmie Bonne as chairman of the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association, the members are still waiting for a formal meeting with the association, while their working conditions and environment keep deteriorating.

Mr Bonne resigned in November last year, stating a “lack of respect from the government for the taxi industry” as the main reason behind his decision.

However, since then, no formal meeting has been held regarding new leadership, while according to the operators, their working condition is not getting any better with the increase in illegal activities, involving non-licensed individuals, along with other institutions directly involved in the tourism industry.

According to the operators, they are being robbed by some people who are well connected and are receiving the support from wealthy people and even in some cases various hotels in the country are encouraging and supporting the malpractice.

The incidents are happening mainly at the airport and passenger boat terminal.

Vehicles without a licence are picking up clients and since the operators are paying a licence and high insurance, they feel that it is unfair and its impact on their businesses is huge.

Their calls to the respective authorities seem to fall on deaf ears as they demand justice and a fair playing field since they are paying a licence to provide the service.

Still according to taxi operators, some hotels are even harbouring the whole operation, including transfers and other activities under their roofs.

This includes some car hire operators who use their vehicles for transfers.

Another serious issue is that they do not have a proper shelter to sit, or eat whenever they are queuing for clients, especially at the airport.

For now, they have to sit in their car, or in a small open place, next to a dustbin which is not hygienic.

In a letter addressed to the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the operators have asked for a shelter facility as part of the ongoing development project of the airport, but to date, nothing has been done.

In the letter, they stated that it presently is an inconvenience for them since they are sitting in their car to eat, a practice which is barred under the taxi regulations.

The situation deteriorates whenever it is raining, where they are stuck in their vehicle.

Following the reports, Seychelles NATION decided to investigate the situation to see the real working conditions of the taxi operators and also what have they been trying to do to better their situation.

Calling for fresh election and a new association

Since the resignation of its chairman in November 2018, the Seychelles Taxi Operators Association (STOA) has not held any formal meeting as requested per the members.

When contacted regarding the matter, the ex-chairman firstly explained that a meeting was indeed scheduled for December last year, but due to poor turnout, it was cancelled.

Another one was scheduled for Friday March 22, but was never hosted.

Six months after, still no meeting has been called and the ex-chairman who is now acting as a caretaker said they can’t host any meeting yet, as they are still waiting for their financial report from their auditor.

Still according to him, they are waiting for a police report from an ongoing investigation regarding a break-in in their office.

So the big question is: What were they going to present to the members at the meeting if ever they turned up, or if ever there really was going to be a meeting?

Commenting on claims that some individuals and establishments have hijacked the business, Mr Bonne said the situation is purely based on the inefficiency and unprofessionalism of some of the operators, who he said do not observe the dress code.

He further added that some taxi operators overcharge their clients, which in turn lose trust in them.

This, he said, creates a negative image for the business.

In their effort to try and shed light on the matter, a group of operators have appointed François Kilindo as their spokesperson while they attempt all the available channels for help.

In a meeting held in February, Mr Kilindo, with the support of a significant number of other taxi operators moved a resolution to amend the Constitution of the STOA, precisely to Article 3, Section 3, in accordance with Article 6 of the STOA Constitution.

Section 3 of Article 3 previously stated – ‘Candidates nominated for election to the posts of chairman and vice-chairman must have operated a taxi and been a member of the association for a period of not less than five consecutive years. Candidates for the post of chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer may only be elected by a majority of more than 50% of votes cast at the election. Other candidates nominated for election to the management committee must have operated a taxi and been a member of the association for a period of not less than three consecutive years.’

The proposed amendment which was approved by 72% of the votes state ‘Candidates nominated for election for the post of chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and ordinary members must be a taxi operator, have a valid taxi licence and must be a member of the association’.

Candidates for the posts of chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer may only be elected by a majority more than 50% of votes cast at the election.

According to the operators, the main purpose of the amendment is to revoke a discriminatory provision of the Constitution which allowed only operators with specific years of experience to take part in the affairs of the association.

The amendment, they say, will bring fairness and allow all capable taxi operators to take part and contribute in the management of the STOA, since they all pay the same membership fees and thus should have equal privileges.

The steps taken

In letters sent to the various local authorities, including the Office of the Registrar and the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles asking for investigations to be conducted, the operators have made it clear that the existing (interim) committee does not have the mandate to represent them in any forum, or take any decision on their behalf.

They stated that the committee is unlawful, as their mandate has already expired, while the chairman also resigned.

There are also allegations made against the committee which the operators said need a thorough investigation, including failure to hand out receipts for payment of membership fees.

They have not submitted any audit report, or organise an AGM as required by the law.

The operators also mentioned that they cannot move forward as a business and perform their duties in a professional manner since the interim committee is a non-functional association and they have simply hijacked the role of the association.

In view of the above-mentioned, the operators said they do not recognise the committee as their lawful representative.

The way forward to rebrand the local taxi services

The operators firmly believe in a change of leadership and adoption of modern ways to face the new challenges of the taxi business.

They have appointed a shadow committee which is expected to be put into office once an AGM is called.

Among their priorities once elected, the new committee will put the necessary pressure to tackle the issue of non-licensed vehicles, including car hire operators who interfere and affect their business.

They are also planning to interact more with the local public, thus regaining their trust through different ‘friendly schemes’ which they are presently working on.

To avoid any conflict of interests, once in place, the new committee will also appoint someone from outside the business to run the office, complaints could be filed against any driver who breaches the code in one way or another.