App-based transport workers affiliated with popular platforms like Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter are set to stage a nationwide protest on Saturday due to declining earnings and worsening working conditions. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT) have jointly organized this protest. The workers are expressing discontent over the failure of governments to establish minimum base fares as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
Shaik Salahuddin, the founder President of TGPWU and the National General Secretary of IFAT, highlighted that despite the guidelines, aggregator companies are unilaterally setting fares, leading to unsustainable working environments for the workers. The unions’ primary demands include the immediate enforcement of minimum base fares for app-based transport services in consultation with recognized worker unions, as stipulated in the Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Additionally, they are calling for a strict ban on the use of private vehicles for commercial transport unless they are converted to commercial category vehicles in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act and Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.
TGPWU and IFAT are urging both Central and state governments to engage in discussions with worker representatives promptly to ensure fair and sustainable regulation of the app-based transport sector. Salahuddin mentioned that auto-rickshaw and cab drivers associated with platforms like Ola, Uber, and Porter will participate in the protest by either rejecting ride requests or deactivating their ride-hailing apps. Notably, Telangana alone has approximately 2.5 lakh auto-rickshaw drivers, 1.5 lakh cab drivers, and around 50,000 Porter drivers.
The unions had previously communicated their decision to observe the All-India ‘breakdown’ through a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and other relevant officials. They emphasized the urgent need for the Central and state governments to announce minimum fares for app-based transport services, including autos, cabs, bike taxis, and other aggregator-based services, in consultation with recognized driver and worker unions.
