Independent drivers partnering with Ola, Uber to hold agitation tomorrow

The transport wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Saturday announced its support to drivers working in partnership with app-based fleet cab companies Ola and Uber over alleged non-payment of dues. The drivers and MNS members, will protest outside offices of the companies in Andheri and Kurla on Monday.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Sanjay Naik, president of the MNS transport wing, said, “These drivers have sold their jewellery and given up their savings to purchase their cars and work in partnership with Ola and Uber. They were paid the promised monthly salary of ₹1.25 lakh only in the first three months of their partnership, after which they are only being paid ₹20,000. They are in huge debt, but the firms are favouring drivers of company-owned vehicles.”

Around 6,000 drivers working with Ola and Uber in partnership have threatened to go on strike on Monday, and the MNS has also warned other drivers against working that day.

“We have approached the companies several times, but they are not willing to even listen to the issues of the drivers,” MNS transport wing general secretary Nitin Nandgaonkar said.

Mohammed Yaqub (52) an independent driver who works with both Ola and Uber, said, “We are not assigned pick-ups close to our locations. These rides are only given to company-owned vehicles, which results in loss of business for us. We were blacklisted when we tried to communicate our grievances to the companies, and hence approached the MNS for help.”

Claiming that only a few drivers facing these problems, an Ola spokesperson said, “Ten lakh drivers drive for us, and if 15 to 20 of them are making certain allegations, it does not represent the entire workforce. Let the ones making the allegations come up with evidence to back their claims.”

Uber officials could not be reached for comment.