TBILISI, May 2 – Couriers and taxi drivers held protest marches in several parts of Tbilisi on Friday, drawing attention to low fares, commissions, fines and rising costs.
The protesters said they are unhappy with current working conditions and the rates they receive for rides and deliveries.
One courier told Interpressnews that delivery workers can no longer accept the current pay level.
“They have reduced our pay very much, while, as you know, everything in the country is getting more expensive every day. When it gives you 3-4 lari as payment, and when it attaches two orders, it gives you 5 lari. For this price, you have to wait separately for the food outlet and separately for the customer. Working at this tariff is unacceptable for us,” the courier said.
Taxi drivers, were also protesting, one of whom told the news agency that low service fares are only one part of the problem, with car maintenance, platform commissions and administrative fines adding to the pressure. The working environment had become almost impossible, he emphasized.
“The reason for our gathering is protest, the working environment, an unbearable situation, very low tariffs, commissions and more expensive car service. Added to this are fines, which create an almost impossible working environment. As you know, there are also administrative offense fines, which make it impossible for us to move on the road,” the driver said.
Similar protests with the same demands were also held in Kutaisi and Batumi, two of Georgia’s largest cities outside the capital.
