Recent research reveals remarkable results about the taxi drivers in Istanbul
The research on taxi drivers in Istanbul revealed remarkable results. According to the study, 65 percent of the drivers do not feel safe in traffic. For this reason, 1 out of every 4 taxi drivers carry a sharp object. Also, the research shows that 3 out of every 4 taxi drivers are stressful.
The results of the “well-being status of taxi drivers” survey were announced, which completed in 5 months by Mehmet Başcıllar, a lecturer in the Department of Social Services at Istanbul Gelisim University. 146 taxi drivers were interviewed at 20 taxi stops in Istanbul and the results were striking. Most taxi drivers do not feel safe, so they carry tools such as sticks and knives. The common problem of drivers is tension, and they spend half of the day on the road.
The research shows that the monthly income of taxi drivers 3270 TRY, and average working hours are 11 hours and 20 minutes. Approximately 92 percent of taxi drivers are graduated from high school and elementary school. Their income is a little bit higher than the hunger limit for a family of 4, and below the poverty line.
73 PERCENT OF DRIVERS SMOKE
Stating that stress is widespread among the taxi drivers, Mehmet Başcıllar said: “3 out of every 4 taxi drivers admit that they feel under stress while working. 3 out of 4 taxi drivers, i.e. 73 percent of them, are smokers. This rate is 1.5 times higher than the rate of smoking among men in Turkey. "
45 PERCENT OF THEM SWEAR IN A DAY
Citing that psychological violence is high among the drivers, Başcıllar said: "2 out of every 3 taxi drivers, i.e. 65 percent of them said that they do not feel safe in traffic. Carrying cash with them, working late and alone bring the taxi business to the risky occupational groups. One out of every two taxi drivers i.e. 45 percent of them stated that they use abusive or insulting words at least once in their daily lives and working. This actually shows that psychological violence is widespread among taxi drivers.”
1 IN 4 OF THE TAXI DRIVERS CARRY A SHARP OBJECT
Drawing attention to the duration of working hours of taxi drivers, Mehmet Başcıllar said: “1 out of every 4 taxi drivers, i.e. about 26 percent of them, carry sharp objects such as knives, sticks. In fact, this situation poses a risk to the safety of both taxi drivers and other drivers in traffic.”
CALL FOR MINISTRY OF FAMILY AND SOCIAL POLICIES ABOUT TAXI DRIVERS
Sorting the measures to be taken, Başcıllar said: “Article 50 of the Constitution is mentioned that the right to rest for employees. Taxi drivers cannot rest in these conditions. The Ministry of Family and Social Services should step in and enact legal regulations that can allow taxi drivers to rest. Also, the ministry needs to increase the employment of social workers and provide psychological support to the drivers in order to eliminate the stress that is common among taxi drivers.”
“THEY SHOULD ORGANIZE RESEARCH TEAMS”
Warning that the Ministry of Interior and its security teams to increase their control in order to ensure safety and peace in traffic, Başcıllar said: “It is needed to research the reasons why taxi drivers do not feel safe. It is also important that the research teams include academicians, taxi drivers and representatives of professional chambers.
SİVRİ: TO WHOM WILL WE EXPLAIN OUR ISSUES?
Resul Sivri, Head of the Association of Istanbul Taxi Stations, said: “They always complain about us, but who will we tell about our problems and who will protect us? We are exposed to all kinds of insults, extortion and attack. In the slightest mistake, they immediately complain to 153 and then we are fined. Our social life is all about our cars, we drive in Istanbul all the time. It is quite normal to carry a sharp object. People must protect themselves somehow. We do not find it right either, but we need to rely on something to protect ourselves.”
ÇİÇEK: WE WORK 15 HOURS A DAY
Murat Çiçek, who has been a taxi driver for 25 years, said: “There is no one to trust. Everybody mess with us. We work 13-15 hours a day. We are both tired and stressed. 80 percent of taxi drivers working outside the station have sharp objects. For instance, we cannot predict who will take a taxi in Taksim, all kinds of people are there.”
ERER: I DO NOT WORK AT NIGHTS
Sabri Erer said: “We don't feel safe, yes. Because we experience extortion and assault a lot. Nowadays, the taxi drivers are getting a lot less in the eyes of people. Therefore, drivers carry sharp objects to protect themselves. We have no social life. I spend working 24 hours a day and sleeping the other day. I do not work at night, I'm scared. When we take passengers to an unsafe place, we inevitably hesitate.”
“WE ARE SCARED OF TAKING A TAXI”
Stating that he hesitates in taking a taxi, Fırat Özdemir said: “We don't feel safe when we take a taxi. I wonder if they will go to the location in a longer way. How much will it cost? Our relatives and friends take these taxis and they do that with suspicion. We see from the news. We see the objects they carry in the glove compartment of their cars, we are afraid.”
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Created Date: : Thursday, August 29, 2019
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