Press release BTB

Onwards towards a modern taxi sector!

On 8th September, a number of taxis organisations from European and beyond will out campaigning. We understand the frustrations of the drivers in the sector and, as the BTB, we also defend their interests. But we think that choosing Brussels as the location for this action is the wrong choice.  The Brussels authorities are currently open to negotiating with the sector and to working out solutions that take the complaints of drivers into account.

We do not agree with the way UBER has acted and regret that certain politicians, such as the previous minister of mobility, Pascal Smet, allowed themselves to be caught up in this. 

The way BTB-ABVV sees it, the time has come for us to look towards the future!

Rules apply to everyone

Let's be clear, for the BTB, every taxi company and car hire company providing a driver operating in Belgium must comply with the national and regional rules in force.

Frank Moreels, president of the BTB:  “As far as we are concerned a business model like Uber’s is not welcome. That’s because it is based on a lack of respect for employees, the ignoring of (social) legislation, tax avoidance/evasion, not making contributions to social security, endangering customers, not respecting their privacy, being improperly insured, deregulation, destabilisation, etc.”

The BTB is now and also remains a supporter of a clear status for taxi drivers. Either you are an employee with all the rights and obligations that go with it, or you are a self-employed person who is truly independent and can and may act accordingly. 

The Brussels taxi plan is a step in the right direction

Unlike the previous taxi plan proposed by Pascal Smet, in which the former Brussels minister for mobility refused to engage in any real consultation with the sector, the BTB-ABVV is convinced that the new Brussels taxi plan is heading in the right direction.

Sandra Langenus, BTB secretary for Brussels and Flemish Brabant:  “Will this solve all the problems in the Brussels taxi sector? Far from it, but at least it gives us a good framework in which to work further in consultation with the sector. And Uber, like everyone else, will also have to abide by this framework.”

A modern taxi sector

The BTB-ABVV is arguing in favour of a modern, up-to-date taxi sector across the whole of Belgium. Affordable, customer-friendly, using an umbrella smartphone app, etc. With respect for the customer, but also for the driver!

We have proposed this several times in the past, but unfortunately it is always the employers who are unable to agree among themselves. Yet there are plenty of European countries where such initiatives do get off the ground and where they work well. Frank Moreels: “Why don't the authorities in our country create an umbrella taxi app, as we suggested earlier? To provide fast, efficient and tariff-controlled taxi services”

The BTB-ABVV will continue to advocate for the modernisation of the taxi sector. The way we see it, this will benefit both the sector itself and the employers and employees in it.

More information:
Sandra Langenus, BTB secretary for Brussels and Flemish Brabant
0473/85 30 18
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