The spokesperson for ride-hailing app drivers, Lawrance Al-Rifai, confirmed on Sunday that the primary demands of workers in the sector include reconsidering the operational lifespan of vehicles, activating the decision to cap company commissions, and addressing the issues of account "blocks" and driver contracts.
اضافة اعلان
1. The Operational Lifespan Challenge
Al-Rifai pointed out that current conditions impose high operational and financial burdens on drivers. Their main demand is to increase the operational lifespan to 10 years, or alternatively, to calculate the 7-year limit starting from the date the vehicle was registered within the ride-hailing fleet, rather than its year of manufacture.
He explained that a driver purchasing a "zero-mileage" vehicle from a previous model year finds the lifespan calculated from the manufacturing date. This consumes a significant portion of the permitted working period before operations even begin, leading to higher operational costs and increased burdens from loans and interest.
International Comparisons:
Al-Rifai noted that Jordan’s operational lifespan is among the lowest compared to other countries:
United States: Up to 15 years.
Saudi Arabia: 10 years.
Egypt: 20 years.
2. Commission Caps and Financial Burden
Regarding commissions, Al-Rifai clarified that a decision was issued on January 23, 2026, by the Board of Directors of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC). The decision set a commission ceiling between a minimum of 15% and a maximum of 22%. However, he stressed that this decision "has not been activated yet," and companies continue to operate under a competitive market principle.
He revealed that some companies currently deduct commissions as high as 30% to 32% of a driver’s net income. This exacerbates financial struggles amidst rising costs for licensing, maintenance, car installments, and bank interest, noting that several drivers have faced vehicle seizures or financial insolvency.
3. Pricing and Regulatory Oversight
The system stipulates that ride-hailing tariffs should be 20% higher than the yellow taxi meter tariff, based on a formula involving distance, time, and base fare. Al-Rifai claimed some companies disregard these regulations, frequently changing prices. While the LTRC requested administrative access (usernames) to monitor pricing mechanisms, some companies have yet to comply.
4. "Blocks" and Adhesion Contracts
Account Blocks: New regulations state that no driver should be suspended from work without first referring to the LTRC for their opinion. Al-Rifai stated this is not currently being implemented as required.
Contracts: While instructions mandate contracts between licensed companies and service providers (drivers) under LTRC supervision, the reality is that drivers are presented with electronic "contracts of adhesion" (take-it-or-leave-it contracts) that offer no room for negotiation or modification.
Al-Rifai concluded by emphasizing that the operational lifespan is the most critical issue, directly impacting the continuity of work and financial stability for drivers. He urged the immediate implementation of the new system to achieve a fair balance between companies and drivers.
— Al-Mamlaka
