Uber drivers in Bangladesh have gone on strike, protesting against what they say “irregularities”.
Bangladesh Ridesharing Drivers Association called the 24-hour strike from Sunday midnight, to press home their eight-point demand.
The association’s General Secretary Kaiyum Ahmed Shubho said: “Despite repeated calls, Uber authorities have not responded to our demands.”
According to him, the organization has been putting forth their demands for six months. The demands are:
● Fixing fare per kilometer and minute from start to end of every trip
● Reducing Uber’s commission from 25% to 12%
● Raising fares due to a hike in gas prices
● Arranging trips near destinations under the “Destination” option in the app
● Ensuring security of the drivers and arranging compensation if passengers cause damage to vehicles
● Taking no action against the drivers without investigating passenger complaints
● Making it compulsory for passengers to provide own image in their Uber accounts
● Arranging initial training for passengers to ensure accuracy of location selection, and putting a ceiling of two kilometers on maximum distance between the drivers and passengers.
No comment from Uber was immediately available. Uber Bangladesh Country Lead Quazi Zulquarnain could not be reached on his phone.
An Uber spokesperson later said: “We regret the disruption caused to the rider and driver-partner community, due to a small group of individuals.
"We remain committed to serving the city and ensuring that our driver partners continue to access a stable income, while giving riders a convenient, reliable option to get around Dhaka.”
He added: “We have processes in place for our driver-partners to address concerns and issues through our Partner Sheba Kendras and in-App feedback."
Launched in 2016, Uber gained popularity fast in Dhaka, the city of traffic congestions and transport chaos.
Pathao, OBHAI, Pickme, SAM, Shohoz and some other ridesharing firms are also operating in Bangladesh.
