Ride-hailing services in several parts of India are likely to face disruption on Saturday, February 7, after gig worker unions representing drivers associated with Ola, Uber and Rapido announced a nationwide strike. The protest, titled the “All India Breakdown,” is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union along with multiple national labour organisations. As part of the strike, app-based transport workers plan to go offline for at least six hours. The shutdown is expected to impact cab services, auto-rickshaws and bike taxis, causing inconvenience to commuters across major cities and urban centres.
Why drivers are going on strikeDriver unions claim that ride-hailing platforms continue to set fares arbitrarily despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which were introduced to regulate the sector. According to the unions, the failure to notify government-mandated minimum base fares has resulted in declining earnings and increased exploitation. Workers say they are forced to work longer hours to make ends meet, while platforms benefit from unchecked pricing policies. The absence of regulatory enforcement, they argue, has pushed millions of app-based drivers into financially unstable and unsustainable working conditions.
What unions are demandingThe striking unions have put forward clear demands, beginning with the immediate notification of minimum base fares for app-based transport services such as cabs, autos, bike taxis and other aggregator-led operations. They have insisted that these fares be finalised in consultation with recognised driver unions. Another major demand is a ban on the use of private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger and goods transport, or strict enforcement of vehicle conversion rules to prevent misuse within the ride-hailing ecosystem.
Concerns over fare rules and exploitationUnions have also demanded the removal of Clause 17.3 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which allows aggregators to charge fares up to 50 percent lower than the base fare. Worker groups argue that this provision directly harms driver earnings and encourages predatory pricing. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union has warned that continued policy inaction has resulted in income insecurity and deteriorating working conditions. The union has urged both state and central governments to initiate immediate discussions to ensure fair regulation of the sector.
What commuters should expectThe proposed strike follows similar protests by food delivery and quick commerce workers, highlighting growing unrest across India’s gig economy. Concerns around gig employment were also flagged in the Economic Survey 2025–26, which noted that nearly 40 percent of gig workers earn less than ₹15,000 per month. While unions have said the February 7 shutdown will last about six hours, the actual impact may vary by city. Commuters relying on app-based transport services are advised to plan alternative travel arrangements in advance.