Cab drivers attached to Ola and Uber have started voluntarily disconnecting themselves from these apps from Thursday in Bengaluru. They are protesting against the reduction in their earnings. An estimated 15,000 drivers went off the respective platforms and the disconnection drive is likely to intensify in the coming days as both cab aggregators have not addressed the concerns of their driver partners.
“We have given enough notice to both Ola and Uber managements. We have also had three rounds of discussions with them on resolving our issues. But, they have not heeded to our concerns. So, we will go off their platforms even as it affects our livelihood for a temporary period,” Tanveer Pasha, President, Uber, TaxiForSure and Ola Drivers’ and Owners’ Association, told FE.
He said around 2,000 drivers tried to protest in front of Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat earlier this morning. But, the police foiled their attempt. Subsequently, a couple of drivers tried to commit suicide, while one of them drank acid and was later admitted to hospital. Sensing the law and order trouble, the city police have told both cab aggregators to immediately settle the issue with drivers or else face action. Meanwhile, the city police commissioner has called for a meeting between drivers and managements of Ola and Uber early next week to resolve the row.
The managements of both Ola and Uber were not available for comments. Both have been seeking extension for the last few weeks. At a meeting on Wednesday, drivers’ association refused to give further extension and decided to switch off from their Apps.