A Labour Consultant, Charles Bawadua, says it is unconstitutional for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to attempt to force all taxi drivers to register and regularize their activities with the various transport unions in the capital.
According to him, the introduction of the new AMA by-law which coerces the drivers to join unions against their will, is a violation of the drivers' fundamental human rights guaranteed under the 1992 constitution.
The Mayor of Accra, Dr. Alfred Vanderpuije, has defended the move which he says will check security and minimise unruly behaviour on the of the drivers.
But speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM Monday, Mr. Bawadua insisted that the action by the Assembly "may not be enough to check security and good behaviour".
The labour expert cum lawyer has, therefore, entreated the drivers to go to court and have the law quashed.
"The drivers should fight it [by-law] in court [because], it is a breach of their fundamental human rights", Mr. Bawadua stated.
He, however, urged the drivers to use due process to register their displeasure at the development while advising the AMA to adopt a persuasive approach to get the drivers to register with the transport union if the authorities believe that is necessary.
The Accra Regional Police Command on Monday morning swooped on demonstrating drivers for breaching the Public Order Act. About 80 of them were arrested for embarking on illegal demonstrations.
The drivers say they had been paying huge sums of money to the AMA for their road worthy certificates, insurance and other taxes and didn't understand why the authorities should seek to restrict their operations. According to them, paying for other unbudgeted services would have a toll on their finances.
