Taxi companies take harsh toll

Gao Fengsheng, a 38-year-old Beijing taxi driver, is planning to take legal action against his cab company after they rebuffed requests he made due to health problems.

He told the Global Times that despite providing a doctor's note that he had been given on account of a long-term health problem, the Beijing Jinjian Taxi Company rejected his application for sick leave and refused to refund the monthly cab fee that he had paid to drive in December.

Although Gao has had the testicular health problem for many years, the problem had become particularly acute in recent weeks. On Sunday, Gao went to his company with a sick leave note from the Peking University Third Hospital suggesting five days of rest.

Gao assumed that the cab company would pay back some of the 5,700 yuan ($914) that he has to pay in advance to drive each month, but the company refused, claiming he would still be able to work.

As a result of his sickness, he hasn't been able to earn any money since December 1. "I'm in pain when I sit and drive. It's distracting, and that puts my life and my passengers' lives in danger," he said, adding that given the fact he's unable to earn money, he shouldn't need to pay the monthly fees.

To remain with his company, Gao would need to continue paying these fees, but given the fact that he is unable to make any money at the moment, he is seriously considering quitting.

"Before I quit, I need to get the 20,000 yuan deposit that I paid to the company in return for the right to use the taxi," he said. "But because my taxi model is Elysee, an older model, they rejected my request (to return the car for the money)."

Liu Xin, a taxi driver from the Beijing Tianma Taxi Company, said that Gao's monthly fee was too high. "The monthly fee is supposed to consist of a few thousand yuan for insurance in case of a traffic accident," he said. "The amount that the driver should pay partially depends on the type of taxi and the service-life of the taxi," he said, pointing out that the old Elysee that Gao drives should have had much lower fees attached.

Liu also added that although there is a regulation that restricts fees to 5,175 yuan per month, many taxi companies ignore this regulation.

An anonymous staff member from the Jinjian Taxi Company confirmed that there was a case in progress, but would not comment. "How did you learn about this case?" he asked.

Zhou Xiaozheng, a professor of sociology from the Renmin University of China, said that it was quite common for taxi companies to take advantage of their drivers, because the companies often have strong connections with government bodies. Zhou also said that Gao had the right to ask for sick leave.

"Issues like high monthly fees and poor holiday benefits are problems that face taxi drivers," he said. "This case reflects the severity of the situation in the taxi industry, which needs to be reformed to protect drivers' rights."