Ride-hailing app drivers demonstrate against sector's law urging 'to be heard'

Hundreds of ride-hailing app drivers slowed down on Friday morning in Barcelona, urging the Catalan government "to be heard." Drivers are calling against the sector's law before it starts its parliamentary procedure.

The law would regulate vehicles with up to nine seats. Sector representatives say they have learned about this law proposal through third parties and estimate that it could "leave around 4,000 people without a job."

Demonstrators want to meet with the government before the Catalan parliament considers the law, which is expected to happen in late April. 

Over 1,000 cars, according to organizers, and 360, according to Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police, drove from Barcelona's port to Entença street and Avinguda de Roma. The idea was to meet with the head of transport and mobility, Susi López, to give her a manifesto with their requests, but sources told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the text was finally sent via certified mail.

Drivers claim that the cabinet did not consider them before preparing the text regulating the taxi and ride-hailing app industries.

"We are 4,000 people, and we do not understand why we are not being taken into consideration to negotiate this law," José María Cazallas, organizational secretary and manager of the Sindicat Lliure del Transport (SLT) union, told news outlets.

"Whatever the law they create, we ask them to let us work," he added.

Elite Taxi union

On Wednesday, Elite Taxi union spokesperson Tito Álvarez suggested from the Catalan parliament that there should be a quota of ride-hailing app drivers.

He is quoting a European ruling that allows restricting competition in "unique conditions."