Private hire drivers feel at risk as GMB Union raises concerns over anti-migrant rhetoric
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
GMB Union has voiced concern over the safety of private hire drivers amid rising anti-migrant sentiment and inflammatory political language surrounding asylum issues.
In a recent message to members, the union said: “Many GMB members feel at risk just for trying to earn a living like other members of our communities.” The statement, which came alongside a renewed call for calm and mature debate, warned that current rhetoric is putting drivers in danger.
The union pointed to findings in its Anti-Racism and Combatting Hate report, approved at Congress 2025, which detailed how private hire drivers were directly affected during the riots in 2024. GMB surveyed its members and found widespread reports of verbal abuse, objects thrown at vehicles, and serious fears for personal safety. Some drivers even removed their PHV signage to avoid being identified and attacked.
More than half of those surveyed believed similar violence could happen again, with nearly a third saying they were directly impacted by last year’s events. In response, GMB is urging operators and platforms to introduce clear health and safety plans, should unrest return.
Despite this, only a quarter of drivers said they knew whether their operator had such a plan in place. GMB says this must change and has committed to working with platforms to ensure driver safety is prioritised.
The union is also calling for new legal protections, including updates to health and safety law to include discriminatory abuse and racist threats from customers or third parties. It wants Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act updated to reflect the real risks faced by private hire and other transport workers.
GMB is continuing to support members by developing its ‘No Place for Racism Toolkit’, providing reps with materials to identify, challenge and remove hate from the workplace.
