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Taxi firm in angry race storm
Exclusive by Kirsty Elleray7/ 5/2008
STOCKPORT taxi firm Metro Taxis is at the centre of a race storm after imposing a strict ‘European’ dress code on its drivers.
A self-employed taxi driver and members of local religious groups have all told the Stockport Express they are ‘outraged’ by the firm’s comments made in an in-house newsletter which state: ‘We wish all drivers to adhere to European dress only and no headwear whatsoever’.
Meanwhile Stockport MEP Chris Davies is warning the company they could end up with a court action if the regulations are deemed to be discriminatory.
Metro Taxis refused to comment on the policy, except to say that the dress code had been in place for some years and was part of their drivers’ induction.
But the furious taxi driver, who works on a self-employed basis for Metro Taxis on Georges Road, Heaton Norris, has slammed the policy.
Asking us not to reveal his name, he said: "I think this policy is a disgrace. Metro Taxis cannot dictate what people can wear. What does European dress even mean? What if you are a driver of African origin, a Sikh, if you are Jewish or Muslim, and have to wear headwear as part of your religion?"
His words were endorsed by Stockport MEP Chris Davies, who added: "There is no such thing as European dress, except insofar as that everyone living in Europe must have the right to wear whatever they want."
And he warned: "If this is intended to discriminate against individuals on grounds of race then those concerned will end up in court, and quite right too."
The April newsletter also said drivers and their vehicles would be checked for suitability by managing director Craig Ingham every Monday and anyone found ‘unsuitably dressed will be disabled until further notice’.
Asad Zaman, of the Cheadle Muslim Association, and chairman of the North West Muslim Business Club, claimed the firm appeared to be being ‘getting into hot water’.
He said: "The taxi firm could be getting themselves into very hot water if they force this issue and will have to back down or at least be more specific. All people dress differently. It would be outrageous if people were not allowed to wear traditional head dress.It is an overreaction and imposing something they have not really thought about. There are issues here of human rights, law issues and issues of livelihood if they do stop people from working."
Executive member of Greater Manchester Indian Association, Vijay Kumar of Cheadle Hulme, agreed, claiming Metro Taxis was discriminating against some drivers.
He added: "It is a free country, and people can wear whatever they like. Sikhs wearing traditional dress and headwear for example is not going to affect their ability in their work."
A spokesperson for Stockport Council, as the licensing authority, said: "The Council would expect all taxi drivers to be suitably attired. We would not specify or exclude any type of attire including head wear as long as it was suitable for driving."
Another taxi firm that trades in Stockport, Kingsway Taxis, said it did not have a policy on headwear as long as did not interfere with customer service.
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