ALOR STAR: The northern region chapter of Gabungan E-hailing Malaysia (GEM) has appealed to the Transport Ministry to standardise the fares for e-hailing services nationwide.
Its chairman Nor Zabidi Bahador said it is imperative that the ministry take decisive action to ensure fairer pay for all e-hailing drivers.
"Currently the rates are based on demand for services which give players in places with high demands better pay for less work but for not e-hailing drivers in Alor Star.
"They are earning less than the drivers in other major cities, despite traveling the same distances with the same fuel and maintenance costs, hence we don't believe that the current fare is fair," he said.
Currently, Nor Zabidi said, a fairer pay would improve the livelihood of over 1,000 e-hailing drivers in the city who are struggling to earn a decent income.
"We hope the ministry will do something about this as we are struggling to get by," he told reporters here.
Nor Zabidi also raised other concerns like expensive insurance plans, an automatic passenger acceptance policy and discontinued perks.
"We also have concerns about the drivers' safety on the road, unfair commission rates and the growing number of new drivers that only worsens the current predicaments.
"There are so many issues that we need the government and ministry to look into to ensure the sustainability of e-hailing services," he said.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan Kubang Rotan assemblyman Asmirul Anuar Aris said he would raise issues faced by e-hailing drivers to relevant agencies under both state and federal governments.
"Based on the current situation, there is a lack of enforcement concerning fair employment practices in the e-hailing industry by the ministry.
"It seems that this industry is very concerned about consumer aspects but disregards the e-hailing drivers themselves. There is no win-win situation here.
"I will raise this issue to the relevant authorities, specifically the state Transport Committee chairman at state government level and to the Transport Ministry," he said.
Asmirul, who is also Kedah Amanah deputy chairman, emphasised that the government should look into the matter seriously to enhance the quality of public transportation in the country.