Ahmedabad Others
Auto, taxi drivers call strike from Sept 7 to 10 to protest exploitative practices of ride-hailing apps like Ola, Uber, Rapido and BharatTaxi
Auto, taxi drivers
Commuters in Ahmedabad could face significant inconvenience next week as around 12 rickshaw and taxi unions have announced a four-day strike from September 7 to 10 to protest exploitation of drivers by online ride-hailing platforms and the use of private two-wheelers as passenger vehicles.
The strike under the banner of the “Rozgar Bachao Andolan” was announced after the union leaders failed to get a concrete response from the state government seeking action against ‘unfair practices by online platforms’. The unions have objected to services operated through Ola, Uber, Rapido and Bharat Taxi, alleging that online platforms are financially exploiting autorickshaw drivers. They said that although the government has issued a circular against the operation of illegal two-wheeler passenger services, the lack of effective enforcement has created economic uncertainty for traditional rickshaw and taxi drivers.
As part of the protest, drivers plan to display posters on their vehicles highlighting their demands, and participating drivers will keep their vehicles off the roads during the strike.
Striking unions
Major driver organisations including Ahmedabad Rickshaw Chalak Ekta Union, Pragati Rickshaw Chalak Union, Navyug Auto Rickshaw Driver Association, Auto Driver Ekta Samiti, All Gujarat Autorickshaw Drivers Union, Ahmedabad Railway Station Auto Drivers Union, Ahmedabad Rickshaw Driver Suraksha Samiti, Ladat Samiti Union, Smart City Auto Driver Union, Driver Seva Trust and Ahmedabad Taxi Drivers Union have backed the protest.
With many auto rickshaws and taxis expected to remain off the roads, daily commuters, students and passengers using these services may have to make alternative travel arrangements during the four-day protest.
