Cleaning up the Cabbies

Across Malaysia, taxi drivers are being fined up to 3 days’ wages for crimes such as un-tucked shirts, wrong-colored shoes, or off-white rather than true white hues.

In a country where most customers are happy if the lowed-paid driver uses the meter, bringing on the fashion police seems pretty harsh. I certainly never paid attention to my driver’s attire. But I always paid attention to my fare.

The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board is out to make a fashion statement, requiring that all drivers wear dark trousers and shoes with white shirts. Socks are mandatory.

The Board claims it wants all drivers to present a professional image. What do you think? In a developing nation, is it important that low-paid workers put up a professional front?

[via Reuters]