Why Ola, Uber and Rapido have announced nationwide strike today ?
The strike has been called by by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, also known as TGPWU.
PTC News Desk: Gig-workers associated with app-based ride platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido have announced a 6-hour nationwide strike on Febraury 7. The drivers have decided to remain offline for six hours as part of their 'All India Breakdown'.
The strike has been called by by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, also known as TGPWU. The union represents app-based transport workers operating on platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The drivers have announced a nationwide strike in order to press their demands including minimum base fare and redressal of grievances about the installation of panic buttons.
In a social media post shared on Wednesday, the union said that workers across the country would log out of the ride-hailing platforms for six hours on February 7 to press their demands.
In the statement, the union said, “In the absence of government-regulated fare structures, aggregator companies continue to unilaterally fix fares. This has led to severe income insecurity, exploitation, and unsustainable working conditions for millions of transport workers.”
Why drivers are protesting ?
According to the union, the workers are protesting against the lack of minimum fares resulting in falling incomes, and eventually triggering uncertainity over earnings.
The union further said that the strike was meant to push the government to act and initiate fruitful engagements with worker representatives.
The union has made two main demands.
The first demand is that the government should quickly set minimum starting fares for app-based transport services like autos, cabs, bike taxis and other aggregator services. The union said these fares should be decided after talking to driver and worker unions and should follow the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
The second demand is to completely stop private, non-commercial vehicles from being used for passenger or goods transport. The union says this practice affects licensed drivers and reduces their earnings.