Spanish government accused of giving in to taxi sector 'blackmail'

The association representing the car-hailing platforms Uber and Cabify has accused the Spanish government of giving in to the “blackmail” of the taxi sector.

Eduardo Martín, president of Unauto, said he was “surprised” because the Spanish government “surrendered” to the striking drivers making it seem like its the taxi sector "dictating the rules and not the (Spain's) Ministry  of Transport."

Martín also called for an end to the violence, stating that more than a hundred vehicles have been damaged and that drivers go to work “in fear.”

Both Uber and Cabify suspended services last Wednesday after their cars became targets of aggression by taxi drivers. At the time They resumed business two days later on Friday.

Unauto has reiterated that Uber and Cabify are legitimate, highlighting that the licences granted their drivers are “legal.”

Also on Tuesday, taxi drivers in Barcelona announced that they will continue the strike until at least Wednesday afternoon, also maintaining the occupation of two of the main roads in the city centre.

On Monday, the Spanish government offered offered to pass new legislation in the coming September that would meet some of the demands put forward by taxi drivers. This, however, was not soon enough for the sector and so the negotiations proved fruitless. Another major meeting is due to take place on Wednesday.

The taxi drivers’ strike has also spread to other major cities such as Madrid, Sevilla, and Málaga.