The meeting, hosted by ITF Belgian affiliates BTB and ACV Transcom, provided an opportunity to discuss the implications of how Uber Technologies Inc (Uber) and other taxi app firms are increasing their market share in many countries.
The companies promote themselves as electronic marketplaces that connect customers and drivers using mobile apps, sometimes in conflict with existing taxi service regulations.
Some continue to operate after legal injunctions against them are in place.
Concluding the meeting, ITF road transport section vice-chair Frank Moreels said: “Unions are certainly not against computer technology in the taxi sector.
What we are against is these companies undermining public safety and the jobs of real, regulated taxi drivers by bypassing regulations and refusing liability in the case of accidents.
That is why unions across the globe have come together and agreed some common steps to take.” Uber is present in more than 205 cities in 45 countries across six continents.
This summer has seen protests against Uber by registered taxi operators in cities including London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Milan and Seattle.
In Belgium, unions are working with employers and authorities to confront Uber and protect standards for both drivers and passengers.
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