OLA, UBER withdraw strike after meeting with Maharashtra Transport minister

Mumbai: The drivers' associations of OLA and UBER have withdrawn the strike after a meeting with Maharashtra Transport minister Diwakar Raote on Friday. Hundreds of drivers have been protesting for increased earnings and a better work schedule since October 22. 

According to the drivers, the fuel prices in the country have risen more than 20 per cent since the start of the year while the fares have not grown at the same rate, making it difficult for them to meet expenses despite working longer hours.

Fuel prices in India have risen more than 20 per cent since the start of the year but drivers say fares have not grown at the same rate, making it difficult for them to meet expenses despite working longer hours.

Secretary at Mumbai taxi drivers' union Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh, Sunil Borkar, had earlier said, "The companies don't understand the issues drivers face ... they have reduced fares when they should be paying a higher rate."

Borkar had added that there were calls from some drivers for an indefinite strike in Mumbai until demands for higher fares were met but remained unsure about how many drivers would eventually join the strike.

In a setback for drivers, their incomes plunged over the past two years after Uber and Ola had cut incentives to boost profitability. When incentives were high many drivers quit well-paying jobs and took out loans to buy cars in the hope of higher earnings. As more drivers joined the platforms and the supply of cars increased, the companies started scaling back on incentives. 

Some drivers had even said that they are forced to work for up to 16 hours a day to make enough to pay interest on their loans, meet expenses and provide for their families.