Delhi NCR auto and taxi drivers begin two-day strike

ABSTRACT

Auto and taxi drivers from 15 unions in Delhi NCR today (August 22) began a two-day strike to protest against app-based taxi services like Ola and Uber

The strike call comes amid the perceived dominance of app-based services in the transport sector, which is resulting in reduced income and customers for traditional drivers

Protests over the issue have been ongoing in the union territory since 2016, when the Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh and Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union called for an indefinite strike against app-based taxi services

Auto and taxi drivers in Delhi NCR region began a two-day strike today (August 22) in protest against taxi-hailing apps like Ola and Uber.

According to a report by Network18, the strike, organised by more than 15 trade unions, will last until August 23.

The strike call is in response to the perceived dominance of app-based services in the transport sector, which is resulting in a decline in income and customer numbers for traditional drivers, which they say is significantly affecting their livelihoods.

According to the report, the unions also said that despite raising concerns, neither the central nor the state governments took any action in favour of the protesters.

“We have been writing to governments and departments about companies like Ola and Uber for the past few years, but no one is listening to us. These companies present their side and the government presents its side, but these companies are running a game of donations in which the government is also involved. We demand that this game should be ended,” Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union president Kishan Verma was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.

This comes weeks after a day-long protest by auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Bengaluru demanding action against unauthorised bike taxis, with the Karnataka transport department issuing an order to conduct a special crackdown on the services.

Rickshaw and taxi drivers reportedly besieged the transport department headquarters in Shanti Nagar district, protesting against bike taxis and enforcing the ‘one city, one taxi fare’ rule.

Given the increased reliance of consumers on apps for almost all essential services, such as grocery delivery, ride-hailing, retail shopping, and personal care, businesses that do not use technology to provide their services have seen significant losses in terms of revenue and livelihoods.

Verma also said, “The employment of auto and taxi drivers, which is being threatened or taken away, needs to be addressed. Private cabs Ola and Uber are involved in smuggling as well as liquor and drug trade. To address these issues, we are going on strike. The organisation has decided that all auto and taxi services in Delhi NCR will be suspended on August 22 and 23.”

Meanwhile, the national capital, alongside Mumbai, recently saw protests by courier companies, which disrupted services in parts of those cities, due to a recent change in Blinkit’s weekend payout structure for courier companies.