Several Wellington taxi drivers have been suspended from operating at the airport for four weeks after being found using the parents' room to heat their meals, prompting concerns over privacy and hygiene, The New Zealand Herald reported.
The issue arose when five drivers from various taxi companies were penalised for using the parents' room, located in Wellington Airport’s main terminal, outside of its intended purpose. The room, equipped with breastfeeding cubicles, a playpen, and a microwave, is reserved for families, offering privacy for parents and caregivers.
Cameron Jackson, Wellington Airport's head of transport, stated that the drivers had been warned about the inappropriate use of the space. Despite this, some continued to use it, resulting in the suspension of their airport access.
“We had warned the taxi companies a couple of months ago that the parents’ and caregivers’ room was not to be used for privacy and hygiene reasons,” Jackson said. “Our concern is to ensure parents feel safe and comfortable using this room, which is for the dedicated use of families,” Herald reported.
Jackson added that the airport provides taxi drivers with designated facilities, including toilets and a small café, to meet their needs while on long shifts.
However, suspended driver Dharmvir Malhotra said that the available options were inadequate for those spending long hours waiting at the airport. He explained that many drivers have no alternative place to heat their food late at night, and most airport toilets are closed for cleaning during those hours.
Malhotra admitted to using the parents' room with a colleague after 10 p.m., noting that they only used the microwave when no passengers were around. He claims that they sought clarification from airport staff, who allegedly told them it was permissible to use the microwave as long as they cleaned up afterwards.
“There has to be a microwave for us to use because we work all day there, about 10 hours a day,” Malhotra said. “They are charging us a lot of money to park our cars in the rank.”
Despite apologising after being notified of the rule breach, Malhotra received a four-week suspension, leaving him struggling to make ends meet. He estimated his income would decrease by 50-60 percent during this period, noting the limited work available in other parts of the city.
“You can’t just take someone’s work for four weeks just for using the microwave,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to survive.”
An anonymous source familiar with the situation expressed frustration over the lack of communication between taxi companies and drivers. They stated that some drivers were unaware they were violating any rules and had not received warnings from management.
“These drivers feel the punishment is excessively harsh, especially since they were not informed that using the microwave was an infringement,” the source said. “The airport transport team has refused to listen to their concerns.”
The situation has raised questions about the balance between ensuring passenger privacy and supporting the needs of workers who spend long hours at the airport. For now, affected drivers face a difficult month as they grapple with the consequences of the ban.
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