Uber Cab Drivers Plea for Justice

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 said 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 joined 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 drivers complained that Uber reduced the incentives and other payments to drivers and also started collecting 20 per cent commission.

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.

Nizamuddin said the Home Minister has been urged to intervene into the matter and direct the officials to take necessary action in this regard.

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.(NSS)