Nayani assures to look into Ubers drivers issue

Hyderabad, Sept 4 (INN): A delegation of drivers, working with Uber on Friday called on Home and Labour Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy seeking Telangana Government's intervention to make Uber management fulfill their promise.

Led by Telangana State Cabs and Bus Operators Association (TSCBOA) President Syed Nizamuddin, the Uber drivers that the issue involves the lives of over 15,000 drivers. They complained to the Home Minister that drivers, who were working with different cab operators, were lured by the Uber Cabs, an aggregator in travel industry. The drivers quit their regular jobs and join Uber by purchasing a new taxi. Each of them was paid Rs. 5,000 as joining incentive and another Rs. 5,000 was paid to the driver for each reference which he made, they said.

"The company promised business of at least Rs. 70,000 per month. The offer was so lucrative that thousands of drivers purchased taxis by borrowing huge loans on high interests. Many of them sold their house or wife's gold to buy the taxi. With the promise made by the Uber, the drivers were hopeful of repaying the entire loan amount in less than six months, the drivers said in their representation.

However, Nizamuddin said that the Uber's strategy to lure drivers was not aimed at helping them. They wanted to destabilize the regular tour operators in the city who are associated with service industry, especially the Information Technology sector. Due to sudden pull out, the regular operators faced shortage of over 15,000 drivers and therefore, they were unable to provide promised service to their clients. The Uber achieved its goal of sabotaging the organized tour operators. However, they left the drivers to their fate, he said.

The drivers complained that Uber reduced the incentives and other payments to drivers and also started collecting 20% commission. They also started deducting amounts if any customer cancels his booking. "While the actions of Uber has put the lives of over 15,000 drivers at stake, they pushed the regular operators into deep financial crisis leading to closure of several travel businesses," said Nizamuddin.

The TSCBOA leaders, including Venkatesh Goud, Rajshekar Reddy, Satyanarayana, Narsimha and Arunkanth Reddy, also pointed out that regular operators pay all taxes to the Transport Department, being an aggregator, Uber is not liable to pay anything to the government. They simply collect their commissions and book profits.

They also briefed the Home Minister about Uber management's refusal to negotiate with the drivers on the issues concerning them. "The drivers are simply requesting the Uber management to honour its promise. However, they are using all tactics to subside the issue," they said.

Nizamuddin said the Home Minister has been urged to intervene into the matter and direct the officials to take necessary action in this regard. Further, he has been requested to frame some rules to regulate the aggregators who are sabotaging the organized industry while putting thousands of jobs and lives at risk.

Nayani Narasimha Reddy has assured to look into the issue by holding a review meeting with the officials of departments concerned.

The Uber drivers also submitted separate representations to Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao, Transport Minister Mahender Reddy and the Transport Commissioner.