More than 500 drivers working with popular taxi-hailing app, Uber, held a protest alleging that the company had failed to fulfil its commitment in providing good business as well as incentives.
The drivers, supported by Telangana Cabs and Bus Operators Association, staged a dharna and raised slogans against the management outside Uber’s city headquarters at HICC in Madhapur.
The Madhapur police, who learnt about the issue, reached the spot and tried to diffuse the situation.
According to the drivers, Uber had promised them a monthly income of about Rs. 70,000 but they are not able to earn more than Rs. 15,000/- per month due to the drastic cut in incentives and number of trips.
The drivers said that the sudden change in business model and policies of the management had pushed them into debts because they had taken loans or mortgaged properties to buy the taxis.
“Most of the drivers, who were working with different cab operators, had quit their regular jobs and joined Uber with the hope of earning a good amount. However, their dreams were shattered and all of them fell into huge debt traps after Uber cheated them,” said Syed Nizamuddin, president of the Association. The drivers have decided to intensify the protest if the Uber management fails to come up with a concrete solution by Thursday.
