________________________________

From: Mohamed 
Sent: 09 October 2007 14:26
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: BLF Supports the LDA Cab Driver's Scheme1

 

FYI. 

 

We would really appreciate if you could provide a statement on the Cab
drivers scheme.

 

Regards

 

Mohamed

 

________________________________

From: Rakesha 
Sent: 09 October 2007 14:21
To: Mohamed
Subject: BLF Supports the LDA Cab Driver's Scheme1

 

 

9th October 2007

 

PRESS RELEase: BLF FULLY Supports the BME Cab Drivers Scheme

 

Recently, the LDA announced a new scheme that will encourage women and
people from the BME communities to become taxi-cab drivers. Already the
proposal has been met with some objections from the London Cab Drivers'
Club <http://www.the-badge.org/>  which will protest outside of the LDA
tomorrow at midday, claiming that the scheme 'undermines' cab-drivers'
achievements.

The LDA firmly rejects this accusation, stating that the scheme supports
participation of under-represented groups (including women which make up
over half of Londoners) and completion of the Knowledge
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Knowledge#The_Knowledge>  by providing
assistance where appropriate in language, numeracy skills and childcare
provision. 

Eroll Walters, BLF Interim Director said:

"London is a multicultural society, and every service and workforce
should be reflective of that. For far too long the Knowledge has posed
some barriers for ethnic minority groups to gain access into the taxi
trade. This LDA scheme promises to provide the necessary support and
training required for BME groups to take advantage of this career
opportunity."

BLF fully encourages equality of opportunity for all people and will
assist in eliminating any conditions, procedures and individual
behaviour that can lead to discrimination even where there was no intent
to discriminate. 

BLF believes the cab drivers' scheme encourages greater diversity in the
taxi trade and calls on the London Cab Driver's Club to explain their
stance against embracing equality and diversity in the workforce.

 

 

 

For more information about this press release, please contact Rakesha
Daswell (Communications Coordinator) [log in to unmask] or Eroll
Walters (Interim Director) [log in to unmask] or telephone BLF on
0207 582 4313.