Pune: Drivers of cab aggregators Uber and Ola have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from midnight of March 18. The strike is expected to be observed not only in Pune but also in other cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

In Pune alone, around 20,000 cabs are providing this service to passengers.

The cab drivers associations of Pune are alleging that the cab companies’ managements are not fulfilling their demands and not paying them the amount that was promised.

Guru Katti, President, Swaraj Vahan Chalak-Malak Sangathan, told Sakal Times, “The strike has been called by Maharashtra Navnirman Vahatuk Sena, Mumbai, and we are only supporting them. The companies, Ola and Uber, had promised drivers that they would earn Rs 1.5 lakh per month, but drivers are not earning what they were promised. They are unable to even cover their costs.”

“The drivers have invested Rs 5-7 lakh but are unable to even earn half the promised amount of Rs 1.5 lakh because of mismanagement by these companies. They are not able to even pay their EMIs and after all expenses, including maintenance, fuel, etc, they are earning only Rs 15,000 to 17,500 per month,” Katti said.

According to a cab driver, the company has suddenly withdrawn their agreement of paying the amount, which was promised. “The company divides the drivers into two groups. While one section gets their incentives based on how many trips they do, the other gets theirs depending on how much they earn daily. We are working around 18 to 20 hours after logging in. We have also been sleeping in the cars,” said an Ola driver.

Neither Uber nor Ola has commented on this development.
As per the organisation, if the demands are not met, the proposed strike could go on indefinitely.