Police investigate 21 over violence in Sanya cabbie strike

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-11-11  |     ONLINE EDITION

POLICE in the southern Chinese city of Sanya are investigating 21 people after a taxi driver strike turned violent yesterday, a police spokesman said today.

They reportedly attacked taxi drivers who would not participate in the strike and smashed 15 cabs, the spokesman told Xinhua.

All 21 could be charged with breaking the social security law and the regulations on complaints.

According to Xinhua reporters in the city, there were still few cabs operating in the resort city on this morning.

Sanya's Acting Mayor Wang Yong yesterday evening ordered officials to resolve complaints from taxi drivers as soon as possible. Wang also said those involved in violence must be dealt with.

Wang expressed support for the establishment of a cabbie association, which was one of the demands of striking taxi drivers.

More than 200 drivers gathered in front of the Sanya municipal government building yesterday morning, days after a similar cab strike in China's fourth largest city, Chongqing. Like that strike, Sanya's cabbies also demanded intervention on issues including high monthly taxi rental fees and unlicensed cabs.