'Vehicle for hire' drivers now allowed a union in Marrakech

After years of clashes with taxi drivers, chauffeurs working for transportation car apps in Marrakesh have had their union approved.

Faced with the unavailability of a law governing this new VFH (vehicle for hire) app activity, the arm wrestling between cab drivers and VFH drivers continues to make headlines.

For the first time in Morocco, the Ministry of the Interior has granted permission for the creation of a union dedicated to drivers working in transport via mobile apps.

A receipt of deposit was given to Adil Azmaouen, in his capacity as secretary general of the local office of professional drivers working through apps in Marrakech, the first of its kind at the national level.

Since their introduction to the Moroccan market, taxis have been protesting the competition of app chauffeurs in the country, leading to protests and clashes.

Taxi drivers argue that VFH drivers are not qualified for the job, and do not have the permit of confidence issued by competent authorities to exercise the profession.

Samir Farabi, secretary general of the Democratic Union of Transport, which supports VFH applications, told Hespress AR  that this step “is a first and a precedent of its kind. This opens the way to a beginning of organization of this sector.”

In a statement to Hespress AR, Farabi said that the work in transport via VFH apps has become necessary, so that Morocco keeps moving in the direction of developed countries in the field of transport.

The trade unionist stressed that the issue of VFH appls now requires a lasting an final solution, legalizing the transport sector through modern technology and avoiding conflicts that arise between cab drivers and those who work through apps.

The unionist drew attention to the fact that the structuralization of the sector would help create employment opportunities for many young Moroccans, in addition to injecting new revenue into the state treasury.