Ontario drivers seek workers' comp coverage, right to refuse unsafe work
Taxi drivers in Ontario want to be considered "workers" and be covered under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Taxi drivers from Hamilton and Toronto presented proposals on June 29 to the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Panel. Jaswinder Bedi, of the Ontario Taxiworkers Union, said drivers are exposed to dangerous conditions, working alone with cash and are exposed to robbery and assaults.
Representatives from the Itaxiworkers Association told the panel that more than 80 per cent of drivers are from “racialized groups” and are exposed to racial harassment and attacks.
Peter Leibovitch, executive director of Itaxiworkers, said drivers are not covered by the province’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), don’t have access to health benefits and are not covered by health and safety legislation.
What drivers are proposing Some of the proposals presented to the panel include:
•cover taxi drivers under the occupational health and safety act
•allow drivers the right to refuse unsafe work
•make pre-payment of fares mandatory after dark
•apply changes to the law across the province so all drivers have the same rules and competitive disadvantages are eliminated
•make safety equipment the responsibility of the brokers, rather than the individual driver.
