If you are planning to go somewhere on February 7, then be careful. Drivers of app-based cab services like Uber, Ola and Rapido across the country have announced a nationwide strike. This protest has been named All India Breakdown, under which drivers will simultaneously shut down their ride-hailing apps. Passengers will have to find alternative means to go to office, reach the airport or for any important work.
What is ‘All India Breakdown’?
The strike has been called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) along with other national labor unions. The union says app-based drivers have long been facing neglect and exploitation. The union wrote on social media platform X that no minimum fare, no regulation, endless exploitation. In protest against this, the drivers will stop work on 7th February.
Why are drivers going on strike?
Driver organizations allege that there is no minimum fare system set by the government for drivers working on Uber, Ola, Rapido and other aggregator platforms. Companies set fares at their own discretion, making drivers’ earnings unstable. The union has said in a letter to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari that due to this system, drivers are facing low income, rising expenses and an insecure future. He claims that millions of drivers are on the brink of poverty, while platform companies continue to make profits.
Major demands of drivers from the government
The drivers union has demanded immediate intervention from the government citing the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Their main demands are as follows:
- Minimum base fare should be fixed: Central and state governments should decide the minimum base fare for app-based services like cabs, autos and bike taxis. This fare should be decided after consultation with driver unions.
- Ban on commercial use of private vehicles: The union demands that there should be a strict ban on using private (non-commercial) vehicles for commercial transportation or they should be compulsorily converted into commercial category.
- Security of drivers’ livelihood: The fare structure, commission and incentive system should be made transparent so that the drivers’ income remains stable.
What will be the impact on passengers?
Due to the strike on February 7, the services of Uber, Ola and Rapido may be partially or completely disrupted. Its effect can be seen especially in the morning and evening peak hours, when the number of people coming to the office is high. Passengers are being advised to plan for other modes of travel like metro, bus, local train or private vehicle in advance on that day. Passengers going to airport and railway station will need to be more cautious.
Will this strike affect the entire country?
The union claims that this strike will take place across India, although the impact may vary from state to state and city. At some places, services may come to a complete halt, while at other places partial operations may continue.
What next?
If no solution is found in the talks between the government and the aggregator companies, the drivers union has also warned of further and bigger agitation. On the other hand, commuters seem to be caught in this conflict, who will have to make alternative arrangements for their daily commute.
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