Number of participants 55 Percentage of women that attended 5.
5% (3 out of the 55).
Key Speakers: Muhammad Yehia Sulaiman, General Director of Authorities and PR, Ministry of Transport.
Major Gen.
Muhammad Judeh, Deputy Director of Traffic Police Department.
Salah Dabaish, Head of the Public Vehicles Owners, Gaza.
Muhammad Abu Ajeen, Head of the Taxi Drivers Union, Gaza.
Percentage of women that spoke-up None (0%) Summary of issues raised by the public The drivers and taxi owners economic conditions have reached the crisis point.
The Palestinian Authority is obliged to review its financial policy regarding this sector, especially the relatively high licensing fees and taxes.
the Ministry of Transport should develop emergency plans to cope with the developments, especially the ongoing siege.
Taxi drivers face many problems with the police, who do not traet them equally.
The police department allows cars to work as taxis creating unequal competition.
Summary of answers given by the guest speakers A new decision to decrease the licensing fees is up to the cabinet and president.
A first decision was made before, but the decrease is not sufficient.
the loss of the transportation sector is beyond the PA's ability to completely cope with.
The transportation law facilitates the drivers, mission and protects their rights.
It should be implemented as soon as possible.
after two years of the crisis and the loss of over a billion dollars, the PA is responsible for finding appropriate solutions, especially as this sector is one of the major economic sectors in the OPTs.
The guests should take the responsibility to request specific changes to the PA soon.
planned and undertaken follow-up of issues raised The center contacted the Palestinian Ministries of Finance and Transport and requested them to decrease the fees and taxes imposed on the drivers and public vehicle owners.
A visit to the two Ministries is being prepared by the Legal Aid Unit in the Center to discuss issue and the solutions.
A special publication was prepared and published to raise public awareness in the issue.
Actual improvements achieved, if any:
Many of the participants had problems with the Ministry of Transport and the Drivers, Union.
Problems were settled after the meeting.
Summary of evaluation forms of participants and speakers:
The attendants were satisfied by Al Mezan's initiative to raise the issue.
They described the theme as very important and expressed their satisfaction for the arrangements and the guests performance.
Most of the participants criticized the Finance Deputy Minister for not coming to the meeting.