Argentina: Macri backs taxi drivers in Uber controversy

Argentine president Mauricio Macri has stated his support for the Government of Buenos Aires, as it sides with the city’s taxi drivers against competition from private car transport services coordinated by the internationally notorious app Uber.

“I value the position taken by the City Government to defend our taxi drivers, who are a symbol of Argentina” said the president, speaking at the Buenos Aires community of Lavallol. However, he recognized that there is “a problem with advancing technology, which we have to adopt in the most gradual way possible in order to look out for all Argentineans.”

BA judge Victor Trionfetti issued an official caution last week, suspending Uber’s activities in the city, at the request of the local Taxi Laborer’s Union The judge advised the government to “immediately arrange the necessary measures to stop all activities carried out by the company called Uber” until a “definitive sentence” is reached.

Uber has fought back, saying its actions in Argentina are legal. “The Civil and Commercial Code (Law 26.994), with National validity, establishes in Article 1280 the legal figure of a transport contract. Based on this code, a person may transport another in exchange for payment” said the company. The “caution has no effect on Uber, as it hasn’t been sued in court and there is no final decision on the matter.”

Full Content: El Comercio

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