Pic: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 27: Dakshina Kannada District Online Taxi Drivers and Owners Association on Tuesday, February 27 announced that they would go on indefinite strike from next week if their demands were not met.
Addressing media here, president of the association B K Imthiyaz said, "Online taxis Ola and Uber are actively operating from the past three years here. Companies are luring youth to operate Ola and Uber taxis with attractive offers. Most of their offers which look attractive fool the youth. This has severe impact on those who believe them and operate taxis as they have to repay loans taken for taxis. The companies have signed deals with Tata and Hyundai and increased the number of taxis which have put the present operators in trouble.
"Online taxi operators are in huge trouble because of frequent changes in Ola and Uber rate plan and deduction in the incentives to the operators. We want uniformity in the incentives for the operators.
"If we visit companies taking our demands, we will be terminated and also threatened by their security staff. They give fake offers and target youths to join as Ola and Uber operators. But offers and incentives are not in favour of the operators which makes it difficult for the operators to repay the loans.
"We demand the withdrawal of additional vehicles and also an agreement for uniformity in rate plan. We also want an agreement which will guarantee us security as we are harassed even when we work for 24 hours a day facing many hurdles.
"If our demands are not met within a week, then Ola and Uber operators will go on indefinite strike," warned Imthiyaz.
Vice-president Munavar Kutthar, general secretary Saadiq Kannur and others were present.