A HUMAN rights study into claims of racism in the taxi industry in Galway city describes as “shocking” some of the experiences related by African drivers. It also noted a practice, submitted in photographic evidence, of putting Irish flags and symbols on cars driven by Irish or white drivers.
The study by the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland, Galway, which is due to be published today, suggests that a “small but vocal” group of white drivers may be “articulating their racist ideas as influential facts” to influence customers. This [small but vocal] group’s call for protectionism in the industry “results in discrimination on the basis of nationality and race”, the report says. Its findings have been “vehemently” rejected by the Galway Taxi Association.
The report, entitled “Riding Along with Racism”, arose from a staff meeting at the Irish Centre for Human Rights in the university whose continued relationship with a taxi company was raised.
Volunteer researchers were then commissioned to participate in the study, involving questionnaires, said the centre’s deputy director Vinodh Jaichand.
Among the findings were that some 62 per cent of African taxi drivers said they had experienced discrimination while seeking work in the industry in Galway, and 100 per cent said they had experienced the same while driving a taxi in the city. Such alleged discrimination emanated from companies and customers, the report notes.
Examples included experience of racist comments and insults; customers refusing to get into a cab driven by an African driver; customers requesting white drivers from at least one company; and Irish drivers breaking cab rank rules where African drivers were present. In one particular case, a customer placed a taxi fare on the seat of the cab, and told the driver to “keep the change because [he or she] would prefer not to touch black skin”.
The report notes that some white/Irish taxi drivers put on the inside light of their cab at night so it was “obvious that they are white”, with some keeping a book open to suggest they are reading.
The survey revealed that some 63 per cent of customers had no racial preference, 32 per cent supported Irish drivers and only 5 per cent had a preference for African drivers. It analysed comments from local and national politicians that may have exacerbated the situation.
In its recommendations, the study calls on a number of organisations, including the university and Galway Chamber of Commerce, to terminate any contractual services with any company investigated in the report until satisfied that employment practices and policy do not racially discriminate against potential drivers.
Galway Taxi Association said it “vehemently” rejected the findings and said it had not been contacted to take part in the research.
It said it had three multicultural representatives on its committee, and had received no complaints about racial behaviour. Dr Jaichand said a public survey was not required to contact every interested party, and the study reflected a random sample of opinions.