Mumbai : App-based cab, taxi, and rickshaw drivers across Maharashtra, affiliated with platforms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido, will go on a one-day strike on October 9 to protest against low wages, lack of social security, and poor working conditions.
Organized by the Maharashtra Gig Workers Platform, the protest highlights demands for fair wages, insurance benefits, transparent fare structures, and an end to arbitrary account suspensions by app companies.
The strike comes after nearly three months of ongoing agitations, including hunger strikes and sit-ins at Azad Maidan since July. Protesters allege corruption within the Maharashtra Transport Department and accuse app-based companies of operating illegally despite multiple FIRs.
Tensions escalated on September 30 after the Transport Minister reportedly refused to meet protestors, leading to a ‘jail bharo’ movement. Talks with senior officials have so far yielded no concrete solution.
The strike, strategically timed with a national finance conference in Mumbai expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to cause major disruption in public transport across the state.
