Residents in the Western Cape who use e-hailing services (Bolt, Uber, inDrive) will have to make use of alternative transport as drivers of the services are expected to go offline from Tuesday.
PICTURE SUPPLIEDThe Western Cape's E-hailing Association (WCEA) announced
that it will go offline for three days, against what it says, the current spate
of violent crimes against drivers and the deepening levels of
exploitation of e-hailing driver/operators in the Western Cape, amongst others.
WCEA Secretariat, Siyabonga Hlabisa, claims that little has
been done by authorities in arresting and prosecuting those behind the attacks
of e-hailing drivers.
''In addition, our various meetings with app companies to
address the concerns/grievances of our driver members have produced very little
results. Coupled with this worrying trend, app companies continue to have the
upper hand in exploiting drivers through their unfair competing methods and
exploitative business models. The apparent slow pace of government in
regulating the industry and its reluctance in taking a clear stand against
unfair competition is further adding to the dire situation faced by operators
in the industry.''
Hlabisa said a meeting was held by its Extended Executive
Committee on 31 October 2023, and it was there decided that a stay away will
commence on Tuesday, 14 November, and services are set to resume on Friday, 17 November 2023.
This is not the first time the e-hailing services embarked
on a strike. In 2022, the WCEA embarked on a two-day strike demanding changes
made to drivers' working conditions. In 2021, e-hailing drivers protested over salary issues, saying fare prices had dropped, but their percentage cut had
remained the same, resulting in lower earnings
The WCEA has made a list of demands, and these
include:
·
End to unilateral & unfair
deactivations/dismissal of drivers
·
Reviewing all new app features, including Trip
radar
·
Drop in commission by APP companies to 15% and
improved pricing structures
·
Compensation for injury on duties and improved
safety for drivers & screening of riders
·
Death/Funeral benefits
Done By: Mitchum George
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