Gig workers’ strike cause partial disruption of services
Hyderabad The flash strike called by gig workers, including cab and autorickshaw drivers, and delivery boys, caused partial disruption of services across Hyderabad on a
Hyderabad The flash strike called by gig workers, including cab and autorickshaw drivers, and delivery boys, caused partial disruption of services across Hyderabad on a rainy Wednesday. In particular, the strike affected office hours and the afternoon rush around schools’ dismissal time, and commuters reported difficulty booking cabs and autos. The Statewide call was to press for a fair minimum base fare, the implementation of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Rules, constitution of the Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Board, and proper enforcement of minimum fares under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. The strike was called jointly by the Telangana App Based Drivers Forum (TADF) and the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU).
The impact of the strike was less apparent during the morning hours as the city saw rain in the first half of the day. With delivery personnel largely dependent on two-wheelers, it was not immediately clear whether any disruption to app based food delivery services was caused by the strike or by the weather conditions. The disruption became more noticeable later in the afternoon after schools closed, when several parents reported long waiting times while attempting to book cabs or autos to pick up their children. While some autorickshaw unions joined the strike, others continued to operate. “I had booked a cab around 2.15 p.m. as it takes about 20 to 25 minutes to reach my child’s school.
Around 2.45 pm is his pickup time, but the waiting time for booking was too long. Two or three autos were available at Road number 12, Banjara Hills, but they too, including an auto I frequently hire were not willing to go,” said a parent. Union leaders apologised to the public for the inconvenience caused, stating that workers had been compelled to resort to the flash strike after their demands for fair fares, social security and better working conditions remained unaddressed. “We want to apologise to the public and tell them to put up with this inconvenience for just one day. We request them to understand the situation,” said Shaik Salauddin from TGPWU.
The unions are seeking discussions and are hoping that the government and companies would respond to their demands. The organisations would intensify the agitation through an indefinite strike after August 8. According to the organisers, nearly 3.90 lakh gig and platform workers across Telangana participated in the statewide strike. The unions said the action saw participation from app-based cab drivers, auto drivers, goods transport drivers, delivery workers and others associated with various digital platform companies.
The BriefWire