From urban taxis to the many airport carriers and passenger transport services on behalf of companies, for the majority of taxi companies the new Covid measures mean a complete cessation of their activities again. Even though they had little to do in recent months. The employers' federation GTL, which represents a sector with 6.700 employees and 7.000 self-employed, asks that is why it is up to the federal government to recognize the strong interdependence of the taxi sector with the most affected sectors such as the hotel and catering industry, so that the taxi companies can fall back on the same support measures.

“The water reaches the lips of most taxi companies today,” says Pierre Steenberghen, Secretary General of GTL.

Because the sector as an “essential activity” considered, it was never subjected to the “mandatory” closure during the corona crisis. But reality shows that the activity rate of the taxi sector is closely linked is on those of the sectors that were obliged to close or imposed strict restrictions got. Since the start of the pandemic, the taxi sector has been in an emergency. Airport transport and airport taxis have been almost stationary since March: 10% of normal turnover. 

Things are also going very badly in the cities. Taxi companies are very dependent on other sectors such as the hospitality industry, the events sector, the travel sector or nightlife. It is these sectors that are the first to be halted in order to contain the pandemic. Transport to healthcare institutions on behalf of the health insurance companies has also fallen sharply.

exemption from social security contributions

The vast majority of drivers are literally standing still today. They can fall back on temporary unemployment, but that will not be enough to avoid bankruptcies and massive job losses in the coming weeks and months, says Pierre Steenberghen. Due to its strong interdependence with the hardest hit economic sectors, the taxi sector needs the same support measures if we are to avoid a catastrophe.

avoid social carnage

The employers are thinking in the first place of an exemption from the employer social security contributions for taxis and rental cars with driver for the third and fourth quarter of 2020. This measure already applies to the catering industry, events and fairs. GTL has the First
Minister De Croo and Ministers Dermagne and Vandenbroucke have already been addressed about this.
But the sector hopes that the government will also look further and foresee an extension of the temporary unemployment scheme due to force majeure until the end of 2021, as already decided in Germany.

Also read: Southern neighbors are preparing for a complete lockdown