Ride-sharing organisation Uber has apologised for running a promotion that encouraged husbands to buy takeaway food and "let your wife take a day off from the kitchen".

Just months after the American-based company fired 20 employees and promised to address widespread claims of sexual harassment, social media users accused Uber of sexism in a promotional message sent to customers in Bangalore in southern India.

"Dear husbands, a gentle reminder - today is Wife Appreciation Day," said the promotion for discounts on the company's food delivery service. "Order from uberEATS and let your wife take a day off from the kitchen."

Uber later apologised, tweeting that the message was "totally inappropriate".