Leaders from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and the National Taxi Association (NTA) had been engaging our tripartite partners, to share concerns and feedback from the ground relating to the novel coronavirus situation. Many drivers gave feedback about how earnings are impacted and that they are also concerned of their own health and wellbeing. As self-employed, they suffer from loss of income when they fall sick and are unable to work.
There are already a series of measures being put in place by the tripartite partners. For those who are quarantined, they will receive rental waivers, and financial assistance from the Government, the operators and from the taxi and private hire associations. To take care of their well-being, the tripartite partners have also been issuing items like masks, thermometers, hand sanitisers, disinfectant solutions etc, and have set up temperature screening stations for our drivers.
However, as earnings continue to be hit by the current situation, the latest announcement from the Ministry of Transport and the operators is a much-welcomed move by our drivers. We appreciate how the tripartite partners have been working very closely to deliver various assistance to our drivers. As drivers struggle with business costs and drop in earnings, the Special Relief Fund will provide some financial relief for them. For drivers who are not eligible, NTUC will assist to administer the Government & NTUC Driver Care Fund. NTUC will provide more details on application details.
NPHVA and NTA will also be working with NTUC to introduce a support package to help eligible union members who are affected by Covid-19 outbreak. More details will be shared in due course.
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