Fix taxi services first and then allow Uber to operate

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Government needs to reconsider allowing Uber to operate in Jamaica. There have been a number of instances across the world where they have been under scrutiny, they were recently told by UK Supreme Court that Uber drivers are workers and not independent contractors – they would be paid a minimum wage, get a vacation and be given pension.

I believe that there will be a lot of people in Jamaica those who decide to take Uber, as opposed to the private taxi operators. Uber must be regulated, the Government must not allowed them to just come in and do what they want. They must have proper insurance for their drivers, the drivers must get proper identification. The company should also pay the drivers, like in the UK, as employees and not treat them as contractors. Uber should also have a programme to help in the maintenance and service of the vehicles.

What is Uber bringing to Jamaica, how much are they investing, should be the questions that need to be asked.

It seems everywhere Uber goes, it’s there to extract profits and not really do anything good for any country. We must get Jamaica to fix our taxi system fixed first before allowing any foreign company to come and operate here. Jamaicans who are thinking of driving for Uber must think twice, it may sound good but what happens when you get involved in an accident, will Uber pay for it? Or is Uber paying your insurance?

I think the Government should ban Uber from Jamaica for now and work on our local taxi service. And say if in five years things does not improve with our local taxi operators, it is only then the Government should consider any company like Uber to come and operate here.

Concerned Jamaican.

ROBERT CLARKE