Attacked and racially abused

Attacked and racially abused

The Press reports claims that migrants working as taxi drivers in Christchurch are being racially abused.

Two male passengers asked Shafiq Raja, a Pakistani, his nationality. At the end of their journey they attacked him and he suffered injuries to his face.

"Every night someone tells me to go back to my own country," Raja said.

John Taylor, president of the New Zealand Taxi Federation, said that some companies outside the federation charged higher rates than people expected, leading to potential disputes.

"The increased price may get passengers' backs up and the fact that the driver might be a migrant can escalate the problem," he said.

Mr Taylor said NZTF companies had stringent English and area knowledge tests. Some migrants could not get work with them and tried other companies.

Shafiq Raja's taxi company, United, is not a member of the New Zealand Taxi Federation.