Unions supporting the striking drivers of app-based cab aggregators Uber and Ola on Friday announced calling off the strike ahead of Diwali after a meeting was conducted by Transport Minister Diwakar Raote along with union leaders and reprentatives from Uber and Ola.

The drivers were on strike for the past 12 days. The strike started on October 22 and demanded an increase in per kilometre trip rate along with several other demands.

Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said, "The state government does not have any role to play here but I got them all together, and it was decided that another meeting will happen after 15 days. Until the next meeting, it has been decided between unions and reprentatives of Uber and Ola that some incentives will be given. After this it was announced that the strike has been called off."

Sunil Borkar, Union leader of Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh (MRRKS) supporting the strike said, "We have temporarily taken back the strike, and almost around 80 per cent of our demands have been met. Once, the remaining demands are met after being decided in the next meeting on November 15, we will take back our strike completely."

Union members said it was decided that the drivers will be given incentives until their demands are agreed to in the next meeting.

Mahesh Jadhav from the Marathi Kamgar Sena said, "We will continue our strike, if the demands that are agreed on are not fulfilled after the meeting on November 15. However, considering Diwali is ahead, we have called off the strike for now."

Earlier last week, the state government had offered Uber and Ola drivers to be accommodated as cool cabs that are AC cabs registered with the state transport departments.

Further, Uber and Ola drivers have been demanding more per km rate citing rising diesel prices and are also demanding to be included in city's taxi scheme. However, the state government has said that it cannot intervene here considering it is between the drivers and the private companies.

Ola issued an official statement saying, "We are relieved that driver partners in the city can now get back behind the wheel without fear, to earn their livelihoods like before. Millions of customers in the city have been inconvenienced over the past few days without access to their choice of mobility. Our robust partner support systems including a 24x7 partner care helpline and walk-in centres across cities are equipped to resolve any concerns or issues faced by driver partners on the Ola platform. We are committed to the growth of driver partners on the Ola platform who are micro entrepreneurs in their own right."

Long Awaited

Drivers were demanding a rise of nearly Rs 100 to Rs 150 in fares

12 Number of days the drivers were on strike

50,000+ Number of Ola, Uber drivers who went on strike

Rs 23 Rise in fare drivers demanding per kilometre

A Long Ride

• Union members said it was decided that the drivers will be given incentives until their demands are agreed to in the next meeting 
• Earlier last week, the state government had offered Uber and Ola drivers to be accommodated as cool cabs that are AC cabs registered with the state transport departments