【Dear Utol (2025): Kilay is Life Episode 42】

Uber drivers in India have Dear Utol (2025): Kilay is Life Episode 42joined the worldwide commotion in slamming the ride-hailing service for not treating them as employees.

Drivers with Uber and its local rival Ola refused to end their strike against the company for a fifth day on Tuesday in India's capital New Delhi. The drivers have put up a list of demands that they want both the companies to address and fulfill.

The strike could continue for another few days despite a court order that has asked the drivers to resume the services, according to two drivers.

SEE ALSO: Indian Railways finds a way to make money off Uber, Ola cabs

Drivers have joined unions, namely Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi and Rajdhani Tourist Driver Union, among others, and have demanded Uber and Ola to increase the monetary incentives, base fare, and also introduce round-the-clock customer service and provide accident insurance — things they feel an employee would be entitled to.

Uber and Ola offer some of their ride services at base fares as low as Rs 6 per kilometre (roughly nine cents) in India, something many drivers find inadequate. In an attempt to lure more people to try their services and aggressively compete with each other, both Ola and Uber have made their cab services very affordable in the country.

Several Uber drivers who spoke with Mashable Indialast month expressed their concerns over fluctuating earnings, adding that the number of rides (duties, they say) have dwindled in the recent months.

On top of that, a driver who did not wish to be identified said both Uber and Ola are giving special treatment to those drivers who have gotten their cars under the leasing programs from either of the companies.

"When they started their operation in India, I was able to make as much as Rs 3,000 ($45) everyday, sometimes even more" a driver told Mashable India. "But now my daily earnings is close to Rs 1200 ($18). In addition to fewer duties, both the companies are now offering much less incentives," he added.

Uber, which is estimated to be valued at $60 billion, refuses to treat its drivers as employees, even as it continues to bolster its focus on drivers.

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This has received backlash from drivers worldwide. In a landmark ruling in the UK last year, the London Central Employment Tribunal ruled that Uber is acting unlawfully by not giving drivers basic employment rights, adding that drivers in the UK will be entitled to holiday, paid rest breaks and the National Living Wage.

Earlier this month, Uber said it will offer its drivers an average of about a dollar apiece to dispose of alleged labor code violations that their own lawyer said might be worth billions.

The disruption in the cab services in India's national capital region has also impacted lives of many Delhi residents, some of whom are looking to the metro service and extra buses provided by the state government for relief.

Though the vast majority of Ola and Uber cabs are unavailable in the national capital region, a few drivers are still working. But two drivers who spoke to Mashable Indiasaid that protesters are causing big troubles.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

One driver, who was working Saturday evening, said his car was attacked by fellow drivers. Another driver who spoke to us said his smartphone was destroyed and the SIM card was seized. Both drivers requested not to be identified as they don't want "any more trouble".

Both the cab companies are working with the authority and cab drivers to sort the issue, they told us.

"Offering a seamless mobility experience has always been our priority. We are concerned about the inconvenience being caused to some of our customers across Delhi-NCR over the last few days," an Ola spokesperson said. "We’d like to reassure them that we are working closely with the local authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest."

The Delhi High Court on Monday ordered the unions to stop the protest and resume cab services, responding to a suit filed by Uber.

In a statement to Mashable India, a spokesperson said: "We welcome this court order, which prohibits unions, their leaders and anybody else from obstructing the activities of Uber driver partners  as they go about their business."

"We hope it will enable drivers to get back behind the wheel, something many have been telling us they wish to do. We're sorry that our service has been disrupted and for any inconvenience this has caused," the spokesperson added.

In the meantime, cabs are still hard to find in the national capital region, and the protests appear far from over.

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Topics Uber