GUWAHATI, Dec 13 - A section of app-based cab drivers and owners will sit for an indefinite hunger strike to protest against low income and several other demands here from Tuesday. The major demands are reframing the fare structure and lowering the commission taken by these companies per ride. Drivers either own their cabs or work for middlemen who own several cabs.
The group formed by 500 cab drivers and owners alleged that app-based cab services like Ola and Uber have started exploiting the drivers.
�The commission needed to be given to Ola and Uber for each ride has increased to 30-35 per cent from 25 per cent. Until early 2017, Ola and Uber used to hand out many incentives to attract drivers. After luring thousands of drivers, both Ola and Uber have slashed incentives over the past several months. Many have taken loans to buy vehicles. Now, due to higher cuts from the company, the operators are finding it difficult to repay the loans,� said Jayanta Das, a cab operator.
Drivers of Ola and Uber cabs aren�t employed by these companies. �There is no one to hear our plight. The offices of Ola and Uber were shifted from here. We urged the government to interfere in this regard,� Das said.
However, the All Assam Cab Operators� Association and the All Guwahati Cab Owners and Drivers Association did not extend their support to the hunger strike. All Assam Cab Operators� Association president Ismail Ali said though the demands are genuine, the association will press the Transport department to resolve these issues.