Drivers for e-hailing platforms including Uber, Bolt, and inDrive are embarking on a three-day strike in Cape Town to protest the increased violence against and exploitation of e-hailing drivers and operators in the Western Cape province.
The stay-away started on the 15th and will continue until the 17th, with drivers vowing to switch off their apps and cars so that the companies can “feel the pain” that they are feeling, Western Cape E-hailing Association (WCEA) chairman Siyabonga Hlabisa told Cape Talk’s Lester Kiewit.
While there are users who have already been affected by the strike by not being able to find a ride, others have reported that they had no problems with these apps as yet and were able to make full use of their services.
WCEA demands
The WCEA has put forward several demands to Uber, Bolt, and inDrive that are intended to improve their working conditions and enhance safety.
Chief among these, drivers want the commission charged by e-hailing companies to be dropped to 15%.
Currently, Hlabisa said Uber charges a flat rate of 25% for commission, a “tax” that no one knows how much or what it’s for, special surcharges for certain locations such as airports, and a deduction of R5 per week without explanation – with all this eating up around 35% of the money that drivers earn.
If the companies do not want to lower their commission, the WCEA wants them to push up the price of a trip to a minimum of R13 per kilometre.
The variable pricing methods that are currently employed often result in drivers not earning enough to make ends meet due to the high price of fuel and substantial commissions.
The WCEA also wants e-hailing drivers to be classified as employees so they can get benefits such as injury compensation and funeral cover, which they currently do not have as they are categorised as “gig workers.”
Hlabisa said that there have been drivers who lost their lives while on duty but were completely ignored by the e-hailing conglomerates.
When this happens, the WCEA and its members collect money to assist with funeral costs and support the affected families, while the organisations won’t even do as much as send their condolences to the lost driver’s loved ones or pitch in a few cents towards the burial, said Hlabisa.
“[The companies] just run away when a driver dies on the scene, they don’t want to take responsibility for that,” he said. “Even when the drivers have to be buried, they don’t even show up or send a message.”
These demands have fallen on deaf ears, however.
“Despite various attempts to highlight the plight of drivers, little has been done by the authorities to apprehend and prosecute the criminals targeting poor drivers daily,” said Hlabisa.
“In addition, our various meetings with app companies to address the concerns/grievances of our driver members have produced little results.”
Uber, Bolt, and inDrive respond
Speaking to IOL, a spokesperson for Uber said that the company hosts frequent discussions with drivers who opt-in to meetings to discuss their concerns and get feedback for current and future features, whilst maintaining the “independent status” of drivers.
Uber has also collaborated with the E-Hailing Partners Council, Soweto E-hailing Association, Western Cape E-Hailing Council, and Metered Taxi Associations as part of its terms of engagement with drivers.
Bolt said the company is aware and concerned about crimes against e-hailing drivers, and is therefore “continuously developing” safety features and tools that aim to address these issues.
“Bolt drivers are also covered at no cost by Bolt Trip Protection insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, permanent disability, and death caused by an incident while on a Bolt trip,” she said.
inDrive said it recognises the strike action, but assured that its drivers are conducting operations normally.
“On November 2, we engaged with the Association to comprehensively address their concerns, especially regarding driver earnings. We proudly highlighted that inDrive ensures the lowest market commission, strictly capped at a maximum of 9.99% net,” said the company.
“Regarding funeral benefits, inDrive currently operates as an information platform that primarily facilitates user communication. Consequently, we are not in a position to offer funeral benefits. Nevertheless, we are deeply committed to ongoing discussions with our drivers to seek mutually beneficial solutions.”
inDrive also noted that it only deactivates those drivers who engage in “inappropriate behavior” so as to maintain high safety standards for all its users.
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