Gig workers associated with ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido will be on strike across the country today, with drivers remaining offline for six hours.

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New Delhi: Travelers across India may face disruptions to their travel plans today, February 7, as drivers associated with app-based ride platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido have called for a nationwide strike. The strike, dubbed the ‘All India Breakdown,’ is being held to demand government intervention on minimum fares and stricter regulations on the use of private vehicles for commercial rides. The strike is expected to last for six hours.

Why are Uber and Ola drivers on strike?

The strike has been called by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and other national labor bodies. The union states that the lack of minimum fares and regulations, coupled with relentless exploitation, has driven them to this action. In a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, the union highlighted the problems faced by app-based transport workers across the country. The union stated that there is no government-mandated fare system for riders working on Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other aggregator platforms operating autos, cabs, and bike taxis, allowing companies to set their own fares.

The union said that aggregator platforms are setting their own fares despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025 already being in effect. The union stated that despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2025, the platforms are arbitrarily setting fares. Our demands are clear: Notify a minimum base fare. Stop the misuse of private vehicles for commercial rides.

Drivers’ earnings have decreased

According to the union, the lack of a government-notified minimum fare has led to reduced earnings and increased income uncertainty for drivers. It also stated that the use of private vehicles for commercial transport has created unfair competition for licensed drivers who depend on app-based work for their livelihood. Union’s Main Demands

The union has raised two main demands. The first demand is for the immediate notification of minimum base fares for app-based transport services, including auto-rickshaws, taxis, bike taxis, and other aggregator-based services. The union stated that these fares should be finalized in consultation with recognized driver and worker unions and should comply with the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

The second demand is for a strict ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger and goods transport. According to the union, this practice harms licensed drivers and further increases income pressure in the sector.