Mumbai: App-based taxi, auto drivers to go on day-long strike nationwide

While speaking to the media, Dr Keshav Kshirsagar, head of Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, said," The strike began across Maharashtra and other parts of the country in the morning. Most autorickshaw and taxi drivers have supported the strike," as per PTI. 

Although the union claimed that drivers have kept their vehicles off the roads, taxis and autorickshaws have been available for booking on app-based platforms of major companies, including Uber, Ola and Rapido, since the early hours of the day.

The Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha had earlier said that the strike was aimed at opposing the "arbitrary" fare policies of ride aggregators, seeking strict enforcement against "illegal" bike taxi operations that were affecting the livelihoods of licensed cab and autorickshaw drivers, reported PTI. 

Gig workers flag panic button costs, income losses amid cab strike

The union representing gig workers also alleged that the mandatory installation of panic buttons has become a financial burden for operators.

Union of gig workers further stated that, "While there are 140 panic button device providers approved by the Central government, the state government has declared nearly 70 per cent of these companies unauthorised. As a result, cab drivers are being forced to remove previously installed devices and spend approximately Rs 12,000 unnecessarily to install new devices, causing severe financial hardship," as per PTI. 

The drivers' body also raised concerns over loss of income due to an increase in the number of autorickshaws under the open permit policy, and also alleged that victims of accidents involving illegal bike taxis are denied insurance benefits. 

Rates quite low, safety concerns: Protesting Ola, Uber drivers in Delhi-NCR share their woes

As a union of app-based taxi and autorickshaw drivers announced a one-day strike to press several demands, drivers associated with Ola, Uber and Rapido in Delhi-NCR on Saturday said fares were quite low. They also added that these companies do not provide proper safety measures or fair rates.

In Delhi-NCR, drivers linked to app-based ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber and Rapido are currently on a nationwide strike.

Speaking to IANS, a driver said, “I drive for both Ola and Uber, and we are on strike today because the companies’ rates are very low and there has been no increase in fares.” Another driver in Delhi said, “Rates are quite low, that’s why we are on strike. Nowadays, it is becoming difficult to even earn Rs 1,000 per day.”

The union has placed two main demands before the government

An immediate notification of minimum base fares for app-based transport services, including autos, cabs, bike taxis and other aggregator-based services. The union said these fares should be finalised in consultation with recognised driver and worker unions and should align with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. The second is a strict ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial transport of passengers or goods.

According to the unions, the agitation is being organised against the continued failure of the Central and State Governments to notify minimum base fares under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Despite these guidelines, aggregator companies continue to unilaterally set fares, pushing workers into unsustainable working conditions and forcing longer working hours with declining earnings.

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