Taxi and cab drivers in Hyderabad who are part of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) have started a campaign to inform customers about the challenges they face in their daily lives while working with platforms like Uber and Ola.
As part of this campaign, drivers are placing booklets in the passenger seats to give passengers a glimpse into the less visible side of the platform-based taxi work.
A study conducted by the Centre for Labour Studies at the National Law School, Bangalore, and the Montfort Social Institute in Hyderabad, with the help of TGPWU, looked at the work-lives and earnings of taxi drivers associated with Uber and Ola. The study tracked the earnings of drivers over several days of work.
According to Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of TGPWU, the study found that drivers earn an average of Rs 45,000-50,000 a month after paying commissions to the platforms. Fuel costs take up 40% of earnings, maintenance costs are high due to taxis running 250-300 km a day, and EMI payments amount to over 25% of earnings.
Respondents working with Uber and Ola complained about lack of support from the platforms, claiming that platforms mainly focus on customer complaints and ignore their own. The business model of these platforms puts all risks on drivers, who also face health issues such as chronic back, leg, and joint pain due to the demanding nature of their work.
Despite facing these challenges, drivers feel compelled to stay with the platforms due to incentives and targets set by the companies. Many drivers struggle to afford medical treatments for their health issues, highlighting the need for better support and conditions for platform-based taxi workers.
