Jordan’s cabinet on Sunday endorsed a new regulation allowing the licensing of ride hailing applications like Uber and Careem, sparking protests among Jordan’s taxi drivers.

The decision, made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister, Hani Mulki, aims to improve the level of services provided to citizens.

Under the new system, passenger transportation companies are prohibited from using smart applications until obtaining the necessary licenses and permits from the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC) and after submitting the registration certificate of the company to the Companies Control Department.

Ride-hailing apps have been a controversial topic in Jordan, with yellow taxi drivers regularly protesting against the apps.

On Sunday evening, a number of taxi drivers gathered around fourth circle in Amman, blocking traffic in rejection of the new regulation.

The drivers have demanded that Jordan’s Telecommunication authorities block apps like Careem and Uber from working in the Kingdom, with fears that the new regulations would increase the work of Careem and Uber at the expense of yellow taxis.