Cabbies' strike continues for third day in south China
12/11/2008 17:03
The cabbies' strike in the southern Chinese city of Sanya continued for
the third day today, even though local officials pledged to meet their
demands.
Dozens of taxi drivers gathered in front of the city government
building today calling for the release of 28 people who had been detained by
police for suspected violence during the strike.
The 28 reportedly attacked
other taxi drivers who would not participate in the strike and smashed 15 cabs,
said the local police bureau.
Police were maintaining order in front of the
government building. The demonstration there was peaceful.
No taxis were in
service in the city.
Hu Wenzhong, a local transport administration official,
told Xinhua that the government and cab companies were working together to
persuade drivers to get back to work.
Acting Mayor Wang Yong met with
representatives of taxi companies and drivers yesterday afternoon for more than
an hour. He offered an apology and pledged to improve the city's transport
industry as well as create a favorable environment for licensed drivers.
The
strike in Sanya broke out on Monday. Drivers demanded intervention on issues
including high monthly taxi rental fees and competition from unlicensed
cabs.
Xinhua
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