Cab drivers and food delivery workers in Pune, associated with platforms like Ola, Zomato, Swiggy, Uber, and others, are gearing up for a one-day strike set to take place on October 25, 2023. The strike, organized by the Indian Gig Workers Front in collaboration with the Indian Gig Workers Forum, aims to address various pressing concerns and advocate for a more equitable and improved working environment.
These gig workers are collectively raising questions and highlighting key issues that they believe demand immediate attention to enhance their working conditions.
Cab drivers are primarily advocating for fixed base rates similar to rickshaw meters, the regulation of companies like Everest Fleet to protect the interests of common cab drivers, and the prevention of unfair allocation of outstation trips to private vendors. Additionally, drivers seek the establishment of an efficient support system to address concerns during their shifts and emphasize the importance of a just investigative process before imposing penalties. They also demand the reinstatement of previous charges for services like pick-ups, waiting times, passenger cancellations, and night rides.
Rickshaw pullers are calling for an immediate halt to platform fees and requesting that waiting fees be calculated in a manner similar to meter charges. They express concerns about the affordability gap between cab services and rickshaws on various apps, making it challenging for rickshaw pullers to sustain their livelihoods.
Food and parcel delivery personnel are also partaking in the strike, with a focus on achieving equal and increased order rates for all delivery workers, the establishment of a mechanism to address their problems, accurate distance calculations, and measures to ensure fairness in handling customer complaints and imposing fines. They insist on access to a minimum daily wage and compensation when applicable.
These demands align with the implementation of the Maharashtra Gig Workers Act and Maharashtra Cab Aggregator Rules, which have the potential to address around 90% of these concerns and provide additional benefits, including insurance, welfare boards, pensions, and scholarships for workers’ children.
The striking workers acknowledge that a single day off may not bring immediate change, but they emphasize the significance of this collective action and invite others to join in this endeavor for positive transformation in the gig economy.
