BAYAN LEPAS: Some of the 300 limousine taxi drivers at the Penang International Airport (PIA) have had their vehicles repossessed for failure to pay their monthly instalments.
PIA Limousine and Taxi Association chairman Hafizi Ahmad said this was due to losses of income since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and most of the drivers opted to switch careers to survive.
He said some association members now work as food delivery riders, security guards and lorry drivers since the airport's operations were gravely affected by Covid-19.
"Prior to Covid-19 times, each driver could earn about RM200 a day. Now, some drivers only get one or two customers a month, while others have had no customers for many months," said Hafizi, who now works as a part-time security guard at night to earn income.
He urged representatives from the Transport Ministry to look into issues involving airport limousine taxi drivers, and to engage with them soon.
"People do not see our suffering. The government's previous announcement on moratoriums had somewhat eased our burdens. However, we need help now.
"Until when will we have to depend on the assistance? We want solutions so this issue can be resolved."
On Friday, the Social Security Organisation (Socso), Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) and the Civil Defence Force distributed food baskets worth RM100 each to association members.
Socso human resources department head Mohd Razmi Khalid said the initiative was for tourism industry players in conjunction with Socso's Golden Jubilee Caring Tour.
"Penang is the second state visited by Socso's convoy after we handed out 200 food baskets to limousine and taxi drivers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on July 24.
"A total of 900 food baskets will be distributed, especially to limousine and taxi drivers who contribute to Socso," said Razmi.