Hundreds of drivers working for ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt demonstrated in Brussels on Thursday, who feel cheated by both their employers and politicians.
Protesting with their vehicles, drivers were demanding better working conditions and unified Brussels rules for regular taxis and those working through these apps.
The Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers (ABCL), which organised the demonstration, said 400 taxis would participate in the demonstration. According to the official police count, some 200 drivers took part.
"I opted to work through Uber because that gave me the freedom to work when I wanted. So I bought a good car, but now there are some months in which I almost can't make ends meet. And now Uber will increase the commission they get, making it even more difficult for us," one driver, identified only as Ali, told The Brussels Times.
On Thursday morning at 09:00, drivers gathered at the Uber headquarters in Etterbeek. From there, they made their way to Place Poelaert to park their vehicles on the square in front of the Palais de Justice. Around 13:00, they walked towards the headquarters of the socialist ABVV-FGTB trade union in Brussels and the Brussels Parliament.
'On the brink of poverty'
These types of taxi services are known as "rental of vehicles with driver" following a heavily-contested 2022 ordinance. Drivers now want the legislation to be adjusted to create a uniform status for the different types of taxi drivers in Brussels: regular taxis and those working through ride-hailing platforms.
"We have been discriminated against since the introduction of the Brussels taxi ordinance," said Jean-Paul Mbenti of ABCL, coordinator of the demonstration.
They also want to receive a higher minimum rate and pay less commission to the platform companies. Several drivers told The Brussels Times that Uber has increased the commission from 25% to 35% – meaning they will have to take more rides to get the same pay. According to Mbenti, drivers are "on the brink of poverty" as a result of the too-low minimum fee and the high commission that the platforms collect.
Another driver, Maroine, is also having problems because of the increased commission fee. "The more we want to earn, the more Uber increases the commission," Belkadi said. "If Uber sticks to the regular commission rates, that will only encourage us to work harder. I do not think this is fair to us."
Demonstration of taxis and drivers for ride-hailing apps at Place Poelaert in Brussels. Credit: The Brussels Times
In the afternoon, drivers also protested in front of the Brussels Region Parliament to demand an adjustment of the controversial ordinance. Current legislation states that regular taxi drivers and drivers working for Uber or Bolt are not allowed to earn the same amount. The rate is €2.30 per kilometre for traditional taxis, but between €1.5 and €3 per kilometre for ride-hailing drivers. "This must be equalised," said MBenti.
Additionally, the ABCL endorses the demand made by traditional taxi drivers to apply the postponement of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Brussels until 1 January 2027 to taxis as well. Currently, the delay would not apply to taxi vehicles, which should be 100% electric from 1 January 2025.
"We are on the verge of bankruptcy. The electrification of the vehicles must come, but not in January. We cannot handle that," said Mbenti.
Demonstration of taxis and drivers for ride-hailing apps at Place Poelaert in Brussels. Credit: The Brussels Times
On top of a minimum kilometre allowance excluding commission and the postponement of the electric transition for taxis, ABCL demands that the future Brussels Government sets a legal limitation on the percentage of commission platforms can take.
The organisation also wants ride-hailing drivers to receive better social protection from the platforms they work for. "Sometimes, access to the taxi platform can be stopped after a single unfounded complaint against the driver. These drivers often bought a car for €50,000 or €60,000, but are definitively blocked by Uber."
Lastly, protestors passed by the socialist FGTB/ABVV trade union due their belief that the union is supporting Uber and not the drivers. Although ABVV-FGTB denies this and claims the opposite, Mbenti is not happy with the socialist trade union. "Defending the employees is their main mission, not multinationals."
What is the difference between ride-hailing taxis and traditional ones?
Traditional taxis can be found at busy places such as train stations or airports to pick up clients. They work with a fare meter and always have a taxi sign on top of their car. Their rates are set by the Brussels Government.
In Brussels, they are always black and have a strip with a black and yellow checkerboard pattern and two iris flowers (symbolising the Brussels-Capital Region) on their four doors. The 'taxi' light boxes on their roofs have the same black-yellow checkerboard pattern.
Ride-hailing taxis, on the other hand, can be ordered via an app, such as Uber or Bolt. A price agreement has been made before departure and the operator determines its own rates: clients give their approval via the app, which they also use to pay.
Taxis that are called or hailed on the street, without making a price agreement also fall in this category. The price of the ride is then settled by the equipment in the vehicle, according to the operator's own rates. The rate is displayed on a yellow and black rate card that hangs on the window of the rear door on the right.
While these vehicles do not have a specific visual identity, it is forbidden for them to cause confusion by making their vehicles' look similar to traditional taxis.
All Brussels taxis (including those working through apps) have a TX number plate. Taxis with TL plates may also be in service for some time.
