Online Taxi Drivers Stage Protest Over Issues with Yandex

Online taxi drivers are staging a protest outside the Yandex office. A representative of the company suggested that three individuals go upstairs to present their demands. Mesrop Manukyan, a member of the ‘Mother Armenia’ parliamentary faction in Yerevan and participant in the protest, stated in an interview with media that drivers have a total of 12 demands.

He specifically mentioned that there is a discrepancy between Yandex’s maps and reality, resulting in fines for drivers. Yandex could say, ‘turn right at this intersection,’ yet that street might be closed, leading to penalties for the drivers. Furthermore, drivers are struggling to understand why their ratings are artificially lowered, as there is a lack of communication.

Another issue is that customers often get into the taxi and say, ‘Stop for a minute, I’ll just run into the store,’ and then they flee without payment. These individuals have no means to retrieve the customer’s number for follow-up.

Additionally, the problem of waiting 10 minutes on the street leads to fines for taxi drivers. The drivers demand that Yandex and the police jointly address this issue, asserting, ‘If we stop for even a minute, we get fined; please resolve this matter.’

Moreover, they are requesting negotiations with the municipal government to allow them to operate on bus routes.

Drivers also complain that when they receive tips via card, the amount reported is often less than what it should be. They ask for more rapid communication to understand and address these issues.

Furthermore, it is constitutionally guaranteed that every worker has the right to strike and demand restoration of their violated rights, yet those who are currently voicing their demands are facing total aggression. Specific drivers are being blocked and prohibited from driving their vehicles after these protests, as part of an effort to silence them. Artificially lowered ratings also affect their income.

Lastly, when preliminary orders are placed, a driver may see a fare of 2000 AMD, only to find it reduced to 1800 AMD upon arrival. ‘How can this happen? A solution is needed,’ Manukyan stated.

It should be noted that online taxi drivers have organized several protests in Yerevan already. They are demanding to be recognized as registered employees and to have taxes levied by operators reduced.

Their demands are as follows:
1. Make the sector manageable and protect the rights of our drivers.
2. Change the high commission rates imposed by online taxi service operators, reducing them from 22-31% to 10% (the 22-31% includes taxes).
3. Drivers earning more than 200,000 AMD and paying taxes should be considered registered employees to receive higher pensions later.
4. Drivers earning over 200,000 AMD and paying taxes should become beneficiaries of the Universal Health Insurance Fund and have access to free medical assistance.