Ola-Uber Drivers To Go On Strike Again, Delhi High Court Orders Injunction

Delhi High Court has come to the rescue of cab aggregators Ola  and Uber. Earlier today, it was reported that the Sarvodaya Drivers’ Association of Delhi (SDAD) and the Rajdhani Tourist Drivers’ Union were planning to go on a strike starting tomorrow April 18, 2017.

However, later in the day, the court issued an injunction against the taxi driver unions from disruption services of the cab aggregators.

As per a report by LiveMint, ‘Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw passed a decree “permanently injuncting” the two taxi driver unions and anyone associated with them from blocking cabs of Ola and Uber.’

Citing reasons for calling the strike again, Sarvodaya Driver Association, Chairman, S P Soni said, “There has been no satisfactory response from either the companies or the Delhi government. Our demands have not been met, nor has there been any assurance given to us for any resolution. We have tried to get ourselves heard through peaceful means earlier, but it has not worked. On Tuesday (April 18, 2017), we will blockade the roads and will make sure that no taxi or auto operates on the roads.”

Apart from this, the court also ordered the protesters to refrain from violence and has stopped them from removing devices from the cabs or confiscating mobiles. The court also ‘restrained the protestors from staging any strike or causing any commotion or violence within 500 metres of the offices of Ola and Uber in Delhi.’ The court has also asked the Delhi police to ensure the safety of the drivers working for the two companies.

An Uber spokesperson said, “The Honourable Delhi High Court has issued a perpetual injunction restraining unions, their leaders, members and their followers from preventing Uber driver partners from going about their work. We welcome the court’s order and hope that it will enable drivers to stay behind the wheel, without fear or harassment, henceforth. We are hopeful that the order will be effectively enforced and that action is taken against any person who attempts to block cars, confiscate devices or harass riders and drivers and that the safety of everyone using the Uber App in Delhi is ensured.”

Cab aggregators have not been having an easy time in the first few weeks of 2017. On February 10, 2017, the Sarvodaya Driver Association of Delhi had first called for a strike. The drivers were demanding better perks, accident insurance, to be paid as per government sanctioned fare i.e. INR 21/km, among other things. It was called off after 13 days on February 23, 2017. The government earlier assured the parties involved that it cannot resolve the conflict but will provide a platform between both companies and drivers where the latter would be able to raise their issues.