Ola, Uber, Rapido workers to stage nationwide strike on February 7

Guwahati: Ola, Uber, and Rapido workers across the country have announced a nationwide strike on Saturday, February 7, urging the government to enforce fare regulation and implement existing guidelines.

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union, which is coordinating the protest, said app-based transport workers across several states will participate in a six-hour shutdown by going offline. The union described the strike as an “All India Breakdown,” aimed at drawing attention to unresolved concerns over earnings and working conditions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union criticized ride-hailing companies for continuing to set fares without transparency or consistency, leaving workers to bear the financial impact despite official guidelines meant to regulate the sector.

“Despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, platforms continue to fix fares arbitrarily. Our demands are clear: notify minimum base fares and end the misuse of private vehicles for commercial rides,” the union said in a social media post.

The upcoming strike follows previous protests by workers in the food delivery and quick-commerce sectors. On December 31, riders associated with these platforms protested against low payouts and difficult working conditions, choosing one of the busiest days for companies to make their demands visible.

Concerns over platform-based work have also been highlighted in recent government reports. The Economic Survey 2025–26, released on January 30, noted that while the sector is growing rapidly in India, workers continue to face unstable incomes.

The survey reported that roughly 40 percent of gig workers earn less than Rs 15,000 per month, and the number of platform workers increased to 1.2 crore in FY25 from 77 lakh in FY21, driven by higher smartphone adoption and growth in digital payments.

Platform workers now account for more than 2 percent of India’s total workforce. The survey recommended stronger oversight on competition, more transparency in algorithm-driven decisions, and better safeguards for workers, citing concerns over platform control, fee practices, and fair treatment.