Cab union: drivers’ hours are ‘unsafe’

A TAXI union leader yesterday claimed part-time cab drivers were a danger to the public for working in excess of legal maximum limits - before admitting that full-time drivers often work even longer.

Vinnie Kerins of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union (NTDU) yesterday criticised part-time drivers for posing a safety risk because they were working over 48 hours per week.

However, Mr Kerins later conceded that full-time taxi plate holders often worked up to 70 hours per week in order to earn a decent level of income.

Under the Working Time Act 1997, employees in most professions are restricted from working in excess of 48 hours per week.

The legislation is currently the subject of some controversy because of its effect on junior doctors.

Legal sources indicated yesterday that the law is applicable to part-time taxi drivers who are engaged in other forms of employment. But they also pointed out that the same legislation does not apply to full-time drivers as transport workers and the self-employed are exempted under the law, which is based on a European Union directive.

However, another legal expert observed that there were “a lot of grey areas” with regard to interpretation of the legislation.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme yesterday, Mr Kerins complained that part-time taxi drivers posed a safety risk to the public because of their hours.

Mr Kerins questioned the fitness of such drivers to be engaged in part-time taxi work on the basis they already had a separate, full-time job.

He said the NTDU believed many part-time taxi drivers were in breach of the legislation because they were working in excess of 48 hours between both types of employment. However, Mr Kerins also admitted that full-time drivers frequently worked in excess of 48 hours per week.

“An awful lot of taxi drivers have heavy commitments so that they would be working an average of 60 or 70 hours per week,” Mr Kerins said.

He was not challenged on the fact that this would suggest that full-time workers may also pose a safety risk to customers and other members of the public.

Mr Kerins also welcomed the introduction of a requirement for all taxi plate holders to obtain a tax clearance certificate before being able to renew their licence. He claimed that the new measure, which came into effect yesterday, would force out around 3,000 part-time drivers.

“It will create a level playing field for the majority of genuine, full-time drivers,” said Mr Kerins.

The NTDU believes the tax certificate requirement will act as a disincentive to part-time drivers as many will be pushed into the 42% tax rate which “won’t make it worth their while to moonlight.”

Taxi drivers’ unions have also called for the introduction of a similar “social welfare clearance certificate” in order to eliminate taxi drivers working in the black economy.

Mr Kerins could not be contacted for further comment yesterday.