Uber, Ola Cab Drivers Go On Indefinite Hunger Strike

Hyderabad: A section of cab drivers attached to Uber and Ola on Wednesday launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding fulfilment of their pending demands. The protestors went to the Gun Park Stupam, paid homage and undertook the strike.

Nearly one lakh drivers attached to the cab operators are on strike in the city for the past five days demanding the companies not to accept new registrations on their platforms as the existing cab owners are not able to make enough money, the association's president, Shiva Vulkundakar said.

"They are using unfair practices. The state government should come to our rescue. They (Ola and Uber) make tall promises to drivers during enrollment time. The companies had promised that every cab driver would earn handsome money. But in reality the picture is different. We request the state government to allow us to use meters so that we can run our vehicles as taxis," he said.

"I will personally sit on indefinite hunger strike. Some of the members who support us may also sit along with me on hunger strike," Vulkundakar said. Though the exact number of cabs attached to Uber and Ola is not officially known, the TCDOA claimed that over one lakh drivers belonging to both the taxi app companies are participating in the strike. A senior official of Ola, while admitting there is some impact on the business, however, said, "business is as usual".

Shiva VulkundakarThey (Ola and Uber) make tall promises to drivers during enrollment time. The companies had promised that every cab driver would earn handsome money. But in reality the picture is different. We request the state government to allow us to use meters so that we can run our vehicles as taxis

Uber, in a statement on Monday, said, "We condemn the forceful disruption to our services in Hyderabad by a small group of people who have threatened drivers and damaged vehicles, inconveniencing riders and preventing people from earning a livelihood."

"We remain committed to serving the city, and call upon authorities to ensure safety and continued operation of our services so that we can keep Hyderabad moving," it said. However, TCDOA refuted Uber's allegation and termed it baseless.