Abstract
This thesis considers the precarious working conditions and the impact subsequently of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) within the minibus taxi industry. The TRP is one important piece of policy that regulated the industry. While the TRP is not a policy focused on working conditions per se, the programme aims to improve the condition of taxis and state of the taxi industry. In this regard, working conditions for taxi drivers start with an improvement in driving taxis in good condition to labour conditions. This thesis engages with government regulation and precarious work within the minibus taxi industry. From a basic perspective, the industry is commonly recognised as being part of the informal sector. Since the 1990s, government has been making efforts to change the industry. The National Taxi Task Team (NTTT) drove the industry’s transformation in 1995. Such a change depended on the ensuing recommendations as embraced in 1996: formalising the minibus taxi industry; regulating and controlling the industry; capacity building and training; economic survival conditions made (such that that the industry is able to survive), manageability and strengthening. Against this foundation, this thesis examines whether the TRP has created changes to the minibus taxi industry’s precarious conditions of work. The State’s TRP announced in 1999 has created tremendous discussions and divisions in the industry. The upgrade of the taxi driver’s conditions of work in the minibus taxi sector was amongst the purposes behind the execution of the TRP. This propelled the investigation of the presence of unstable states of work and the effect subsequently inside the industry. This is because workers were to be registered with the Labour Department (presently Department of Employment and Labour), as well as being given annual leave and adaptable working hours. The subject of the impact of government regulation on working conditions not only speaks to precarious labour conditions, but in addition to good working conditions, for example, driving roadworthy taxis...
D.Litt. et D.Phil. (Industrial Sociology)