Ola, Uber drivers warn of indefinite strike

Dakshina Kannada Jilla Online Drivers and Owners Association has warned of staging an indefinite strike against Ola and Uber for failing to fulfill the demands of employees working in online taxi services.

Briefing reporters here on Tuesday, Association honorary president B K Imthiyaz said many youngsters had availed loans from banks to purchase cars to operate the vehicles for a livelihood but the rent paid by the online taxi hailing companies is meagre. The youths are not able to repay the loans borrowed. There are over 250 taxis in Dakshina Kannada district. "The company has been providing attractive offers. However, a majority of the drivers get two to three pick up and dropping facilities. The company has been changing the rate every week. As a result, the drivers are in distress," he said.

"Ola and Uber have tweaked their incentive plans which led to reduced incomes. Drivers are not even able to pay EMIs for their car loans. Ola and Uber encouraged drivers to buy cars on loan and many drivers bought cars as they were lured by higher incomes that the companies offered when they started operations," he said.