Writer: Kimberley Clemens
Driver: Hassan, Heidelberg Heights

Hassan has left a lot in the past – his home, his career and the violence of war. Hassan and his family left everything to start at ‘zero, zero, zero’.

Hassan doesn’t want to see the face of anger anywhere ever again, especially in his cab. He has seen anger enough already, witnessing missiles that regularly blow up ordinary civilians on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia. He finds it difficult to convey the sense of monumental loss caused by anger and violence. He struggles, not because he can’t articulate himself, but because what he has witnessed is beyond belief for those of us who have lived in safety and comfort all their lives. He laments that too often passengers are aggressive, rude and racist. When this occurs, he momentarily questions why he is here and what it is all for. ‘I never thought that it would be like this.’

Hassan wants anger to stay in the past.

Very much a family man, Hassan has worked hard to excel in a job that not many really want to do. He states that ninety-seven per cent of Melbourne cab drivers are immigrants. For the majority, cab driving is the only work available to them. After restarting his life at ‘zero’, it is a major accomplishment that he now has a good business. He has five drivers who work for him and insists that all his cabs are maintained in immaculate condition. His high standards have enabled him to build up sixty-three regular clients who have also become friends over the last five years.

Driving a cab was not the dream plan that he had in mind when he arrived in Australia. Hassan had many achievements to his credit before the civil war in Somalia wiped out these accomplishments. He was a professional soccer player and represented his country. From this, he derived a lot of respect – and a decent living. Excelling in sport enabled him to buy a four-bedroom home and a business wholesaling food. Life was good, very good, but all the fruits of success are now obliterated. To know that life can change so dramatically still leaves him incredulous.

When the violence in Mogadishu escalated, Hassan knew that it was time to leave. His pregnant wife and child left first, but Hassan was not able to join them, and the new baby was three before they reunited.

When Hassan eventually arrived in Australia he found work as a steward in a major hotel. After that, he started driving cabs because it was the only work he could find. Nonetheless, he has discovered that there are some good points to driving a cab. He finds that it can be a very social job, where real friendships are made. He enjoys meeting a wide range of people and likes it when people seem keen to hear his stories.

A memorable moment for Hassan was when he realised that a passenger had left a bag behind. It contained US$6,000.00 cash. Fortunately for the tourist, Hassan remembered which hotel he was staying in and returned the money. This landed him a hefty $700.00 dollar tip! Unfortunately, not everyone is as honest as Hassan is. One of his worst encounters was when he had to pick up a passenger from Crown Casino, drive them to Werribee, and then to Newport, where they jumped out and ran off without paying.

Hassan also thinks that not only should laws improve the economic security of drivers; more could be done to improve their physical safety whilst on the job. He thinks that the new safety screens won’t do much. “They are not as good as those in the United States and the United Kingdom where the driver is completely isolated from the passengers. Protection here is only partial.

Hassan says that it is too easy to become a cab driver. Candidates only have to have resided in Australia for one month before they can apply to be a driver. He thinks there should be more intensive training courses to help immigrants become more familiar with their territory so that there is less resentment from passengers.