Ola, Uber drivers’ strike enters 9th day

Mumbai: The strike of Ola and Uber cab-drivers entered its ninth day on Tuesday. Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh (MRRKS), which is heading the strike, has been protesting from October 22 as prices of the diesel, petrol and CNG are surging due to which it has become difficult to operate the vehicles. The MRRKS has demanded the prices to be increased by Rs 18 from Rs 6 per km. However, the sources said that Ola aggregator has agreed to increase it to Rs 12 per km.

The representatives of MRRKS met Ola officials over their demands on Tuesday evening and later they moved to the Uber.

Speaking with The Asian Age, state transport commissioner Shekhar Channe said that neither the cab drivers nor cab aggregators have approached him.  

An Uber spokesperson said, “We continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders with a view to restore services to the people and city of Mumbai at the earliest. We have always been and continue to be committed to sustainable driver earnings and to discuss all other issues raised by the driver partners. We look to the support of law enforcement in helping driver partners get back behind the wheel without fear of intimidation and assault.” Meanwhile, Ola spokesperson refused to comment on the strike.

Last week, leader of Opposition in the Legislative council, Dhananjay Munde and Mumbai NCP president Sachin Ahir met transport minister Diwakar Raote over ongoing crisis between cab drivers and cab aggregator companies. But it seems that the issue has been not resolved even after the political interference.