The transportation and tourism sectors are amongst the worst hit due to the ongoing pandemic and it is in this context that the recent strike organised by more than 2 lakh Ola and Uber drivers on September 1 become important. These drivers have been demanding a fare hike and a moratorium on the repayment of loans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation.
The Ola and Uber drivers who are taking part in these strikes assembled at Delhi’s Mandi House and raised a series of demands to help them sustain and live their lives with dignity at a time when their business has been severely hit. The massive strike called by the drivers has had its impact on the availability of cabs for clients in the Delhi and NCR regions.
Many drivers across the country are experiencing massive financial constraints due to the ongoing lockdown and drivers across Delhi and NCR are suffering from loss of clientele and are unable to pay back EMIs or even sustain their families back home. The tremendous pressures that have been exerted on the drivers are not able to pay back their EMIs and sustain their families. These drivers are demanding that their fees be hiked and their loans be waived off keeping the coronavirus pandemic in mind.
Ola and Uber have still not issued a statement about how they are looking at the strike and have not reacted to how this strike is likely to impact their services. It is quite likely that the strike will lead to transport difficulties for many commuters and bring about changes in the lives of struggling Ola and Uber drivers amid this pandemic.
