UBER, OLA drivers' strike badly hit the passengers

Uber and Ola drivers are having a tough time and they decided to start a strike across India on Monday. Drivers are very frustrated with the payment and cutbacks in incentives therefore demanding extra pay.

Strike began and it started off at the financial centre of Mumbai and it was supported by the political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s transport union. They also announced that drivers from other cities also will take part in the strike in the next few days.

"Drivers are in huge debt, but the firms are favouring those driving company-owned vehicles," says Sanjay Naik, president of the MNS transport wing. They also claim that, drivers get only a fraction of what they were promised when they joined the companies.

Commenting on this, Ola spokesman said “Interest of our driver partners and customer convenience is of paramount importance to us. While, we have seen a slight improvement in our services in Mumbai, however for the situation to improve significantly it is imperative that intimidation of driver partners and vandalism of their cars by vested interests be stopped. New economy companies like us are counting on the police for normalcy to return.” However, the strike started affecting the commuters as they complained of long waits and surge fares because of lack of cabs on the road. Passengers also complained that they ended up paying double or even triple the charges they usually pay.

According to Harish, an OLA driver, “My livelihood depends on my daily driving. I have to take care of my family which includes my wife, two school going children and an old ailing mother. Since yesterday, I am being pressurized not to log on to the taxi app to take bookings. I have put in my last 4 years savings to buy this taxi. I am feeling helpless for not being allowed to drive. This strike is helping no one, not the drivers, not the customers. I just want this to end so that I can get on with my driving and support my family.”

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