Kerala Drivers Protest for Basic Facilities at Hotels and Resorts
A group of tourist taxi drivers in Kochi staged a protest outside Crowne Plaza on Friday, demanding well-maintained washrooms and resting spaces at hotels and resorts. The drivers, some wearing towels and shorts, gathered outside the lobby to highlight the lack of basic amenities for vehicle crew.
Hotel management sources described the protest as stemming from a “clogged drain in the washroom for vehicle crew,” which they said was “rectified the same day.” They added that drivers could alternatively use staff washrooms.
Shiyas S., a representative of the Online Taxi Drivers’ Union (OTDU), said drivers have long complained about inadequate washroom and restroom facilities at numerous hotels across Kerala. He cited an incident in Munnar where drivers had to access a restroom after the management initially refused to unlock it. “Using washrooms when needed is a basic human need,” he said, adding that the union has been urging the Tourism and Transport departments to ensure hotels display government orders requiring such infrastructure.
The protest came a day after travel operators from West Asia, at a meeting attended by Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh, called for similar facilities at all hotels and resorts. Speakers highlighted that drivers often sleep in their vehicles overnight, describing the situation as a concern for many luxury and other hotels.
Pramod A., a taxi owner-driver, said drivers are often left to manage on their own, leading to disputes with hotel staff over washroom access. The drivers’ demands include designated restrooms, common resting areas, and dormitories for those on multi-day trips.
