Drivers and workers of Ola, Uber, Zomato, Swiggy, and other aggregator companies have been protesting for the past few days against the ‘injustice’ meted out to them by these platforms
Office workers struggle to find alternative modes of transportation during peak hours at BKC. PIC/SHADAB KHAN
Ola and Uber drivers continued their strike for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, vowing to further intensify their protest until the state government gives them a concrete assurance.
“We have been protesting for our rights and will continue to do so. Today, we are not sitting at Azad Maidan but are spread out across Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, and other cities, enforcing the strike by stopping cabs and autos. About 90 per cent of cabs were off the roads today,” said Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha president Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, who is spearheading the agitation.
Drivers and workers of Ola, Uber, Zomato, Swiggy, and other aggregator companies have been protesting for the past few days against the ‘injustice’ meted out to them by these platforms. Many protesters took to the streets, forcing passengers to get down from cabs and autos at several locations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, Nagpur, and other cities.
Their five key demands include: Rationalisation of fares, parity of fares with metered cabs, a firm 'no' to bike taxis, a cap on cab and auto permits, activation of the welfare board for cab and taxi drivers, along with the implementation of the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act.
Commuters speak
The Ola-Uber strike has caused major inconvenience for corporate employees across the city. Priyanka Jadhav, who works at a company in Bandra Kurla Complex, said, “I had booked an Uber this morning. It was confirmed, and I waited for 10 minutes. But when I called the driver, he said he couldn’t come and asked me to cancel. I was shocked and wondered why he accepted the booking in the first place.”
Preeti Sarkar, another employee in BKC, shared a similar experience. She said, “I’ve been waiting for an auto or taxi for over an hour. I have no choice but to wait since I want to go straight home.” The issue isn’t limited to BKC. Employees working in South Mumbai and commuting to western suburbs are also facing challenges. Avantika Biswas, who works in Colaba, told mid-day, “I live in Kharghar and usually take a train. But today I have to go to Parel first. I waited for an hour and eventually decided to take the train to meet my friends. This has completely disrupted my plans.”
Airport advisory
In light of ongoing protests in the state, passengers travelling via #MumbaiAirport are advised to check transport availability and plan alternative arrangements in advance.
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