A group of 14 taxi drivers in Suva stopped working for three hours on August 27, 1994, to seek clarification on whether new working conditions proposed by a new owner had been approved by the Principal Licensing Authority.
An article from The Fiji Times noted that the proposed conditions included a requirement for drivers to pay a net income of $150 to Regent Taxis. A spokesperson for the drivers explained, “Under these conditions, we would be appointed as agents to drive Regent Taxis. The driver would be responsible for all taxes and Fiji National Provident Fund contributions from their earnings as a taxi driver.”
The proposed conditions indicated that drivers would be considered self-employed and responsible for their fuel expenses. Additionally, the drivers were expected to exercise care while operating their taxis, while Regent Taxis would cover maintenance, repairs, and the replacement of parts.
However, the agreement did not clarify responsibility for repair costs in case of accidents, and either party could terminate the agreement with a week’s notice.
The spokesperson also mentioned that the drivers had met with officials from the Ministry of Employment, who informed them that the conditions fell under various departments, and that a response to their inquiries would be provided after collecting information.
As of that date, the new conditions had not yet been approved and were still pending finalization, which meant the drivers continued to work under the previous terms.