SINGAPORE: For most workers, coming down with flu now means a seven-day period of medical leave. But for taxi drivers, it is a double whammy — besides footing their own medical fees, it could also mean losing a week’s worth of income.

So far, no taxi driver has come down with H1N1 flu, said acting adviser to the Taxi Operators’ Associations (TOAs) Yeo Guat Kwang on Thursday.

But the TOAs are taking pro-active measures to assuage cabbies’ fears. Together with the National Trades Union Congress, they announced a S$650,000 relief package on Thursday to subsidise the cabbies’ medical fees, and to help those whose incomes have been hard-hit by decreased ridership in recent months.

Until the end of this year, unionised drivers — who number 10,000 — will only have to pay S$10 if they go to a Healthway Group clinic for flu-related illnesses, thanks to a S$25 corporate rate offered by the 37-branch health service provider, and a further S$15 subsidy from the U Care Assistance Scheme.

As flu cases are no longer all tested for H1N1, any of the 24,000 hirers on medical leave for flu-related illnesses will be allowed to temporarily give up their taxis to avoid paying rentals, or have relief drivers to cover for them until they are well.

As for those diagnosed with H1N1, taxi companies will pay their medical fees. On top of rental waivers, the cabbies will receive partial income compensation of S$30 per day for up to seven days. These measures will continue for “as long as H1N1 flu is still a problem”, said Mr Yeo.

“We understand for H1N1 flu, one of the critical factors is that you must seek treatment as early as possible.”

President of the SMRT TOA John Leong, 62, said this would encourage cabbies not to simply pop a Panadol pill and continue driving if they experience flu symptoms.

Also announced on Thursday were S$80 worth of U Stretch vouchers for cabbies whose household income falls below S$500 per capita.

In recent months, cabbies have reported that their incomes levels have dropped by about three per cent.

President of the TransCab TOA Ong Hian Teck, 54, said this could be due to the downturn as well as “people not going out, or on home quarantine”.

However Mr Yeo said short-term relief is just one of the three “R’s” cabbies need — the others are re-skilling and ridership.

Plans are under way to offer subsidised courses such as customer relationship management under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience initiative.

To boost ridership, operators are discussing tie-ups with shopping malls and tourist attractions to offer concessionary packages. A Ridership Promotion Tripartite Workgroup was also formed last month.

But Mr Yeo ruled out a reduction in fares, saying this would lead to a shortage of taxis to meet peak hour demand.

- TODAY/ yt