02 Aug 2018 | 08:39 AM UTC
Spain: Taxi strikes and protests end in Madrid and Barcelona /update 4
Indefinite strike and protests by taxi drivers in Madrid and Barcelona end; normal conditions expected August 2
Event
Taxi strikes and related protests in Barcelona and Madrid ongoing since July 29 were called off around midnight (local time) August 1-2 to facilitate negotiations with the government. Taxi drivers in many other cities have followed suit and more were expected to in the coming hours. As such, normal conditions (taxi availability, road traffic) are to be anticipated beginning on Thursday, August 2, in Madrid, Barcelona, and most other cities.
However, taxi unions have warned that they are ready to resume their protest should negotiations fail.
Context
The strike, accompanied by highly disruptive protests, was held to demand legislation to limit operations by car-hire services (VTCs) such as Uber. An associated taxi strike was also held in Barcelona July 25-26.
Advice
Individuals in Spain are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution.
