Drivers for app-based cab aggregators Uber and Ola continued their indefinite strike across India on Tuesday, demanding extra pay as a surge in the number of cabs on the two platforms, coupled with cutbacks in incentive payments, have stung drivers.
The strike, which began at midnight on Sunday, centred on the financial centre of Mumbai and was called by political party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s transport union, according to a Reuters report.
Drivers in other cities like the capital New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune among others would also take part, party leaders said over the weekend.
“Drivers are in huge debt, but the firms are favouring those driving company-owned vehicles,” Sanjay Naik, president of the MNS transport wing told a press conference on Saturday.
Drivers say, their incomes have been limited to Rs 30,000 per month for a while now, whereas they were promised Rs 0.1 million per month before, according to a TOI report.
Uber was not immediately reachable for comment when contacted by Reuters, while Ola’s spokesman said it was too early in the day to measure the impact of the strike.
Several commuters complained of long waits and surge fares due to a dearth in cabs on the road.
