ZonesCorp, the largest developer and operator of purpose-built industrial zones in the UAE, said it has adopted new minimum standards for the accommodation of taxi drivers in the labour cities across the emirate.

The new specifications for the accommodation of taxi drivers will meet the highest international standards for comfort and safety as Abu Dhabi is committed to providing better living conditions for all workers, said a statement from the company.

It will come into force from the beginning of the second half of this year, in coordination with the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars, it stated.
 
Saeed Eisa Mohammed Al Khyeli, the director general of ZonesCorp, said: "The adoption of new specifications for (taxi) driver accommodation in the emirate reflects our leadership's commitment to the protection of workers' rights and efforts to continuously improve living and working conditions."
 
Al Khyeli stressed: “ZonesCorp will do its utmost to ensure that the new standards are implemented by the taxi operators across all driver accommodation in the Emirate but at a cost that is not prohibitive for the taxi companies.”
 
Khadem Sawayeh Al Muhairi, the executive director of Operations Unit Residential Cities, said: "The new approved standards and specifications for driver accommodation are the result of detailed recommendations made by a working group consisting of representatives from ZonesCorp, the Centre and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transportation."

"The recommendations followed site visit to experience the proposed housing units and the amenities and services that will be provided," he added.
 
Mohamed Darwish Al Qamzi, the director general of the Centre said: "These new specifications and standards for accommodation are part of a new suite of legislation and regulations designed to elevate the taxi sector and bring it in line with the highest international standards in terms of quality and sustainability."

"This includes the continual monitoring of services provided by the taxi operators such as customer satisfaction," he noted.
 
The adoption of the new accommodation standards for its drivers by the 7 taxi operators in Abu Dhabi will be a prerequisite to having their contracts renewed at the end of June 2017, stated Al Qamzi.

"Its implementation of these standards will ensure a good standard of living for 10,965 taxi drivers who live in Abu Dhabi and will improve productivity and motivation which will add value for the taxi operating companies," he added.-TradeArabia News Service