23 Aug 2018 | 12:37 PM UTC
Chile: Taxi strikes and protests possible /update 1
Taxi drivers hold protest August 22; further protests and national strike possible in the coming days
Event
Some 1200 taxi drivers held an unauthorized protest in the capital Santiago on Wednesday, August 22, driving their vehicles in a convoy from Puente Alto to La Moneda (presidential palace) via Avenue Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins (a.k.a. La Alameda). The demonstration was held to denounce a new law proposed by the government that would regularize rideshare applications such as Uber and Cabify.
Drivers have threatened to hold a national strike in the coming days. Further such demonstrations are to be anticipated if the strike takes place, in addition to lower taxi availability.
Context
Taxi unions denounce what they perceive as unfair competition posed by ridesharing services, which they claim should be subject to the same strict regulations as official taxi drivers.
Advice
Individuals in Chile are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution.
