Ola, Uber, Rapido Under Fire: Gig Workers Forum Calls Strike Across Maharashtra on 9th October
Pune, 6th October 2025: The Indian Gig Workers Forum has announced a statewide strike on Thursday, 9 October, calling for rickshaw, taxi, and cab drivers affiliated with the forum to suspend services. The move comes in protest against the alleged arbitrary management of Ola, Uber, and Rapido by the Transport Department.
According to Dr. Keshav Kshirsagar, President of the Indian Gig Workers Forum, the Transport Ministry has failed to take action against ride-hailing companies while continuing to receive sponsorships from them.
“Companies like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, which operate within the public transport system, are supposed to follow rates fixed per kilometer as directed by the transport department. However, these companies are flouting the rules and continuing to charge old rates,” Dr. Kshirsagar said on Monday.
The strike is strategically scheduled to coincide with the visit of a team of experts from the Central Finance Department to Maharashtra on Thursday, aiming to draw attention to the issues faced by gig workers.
Dr. Kshirsagar added that protests have already been held at Azad Maidan, the Transport Commissioner’s Office, and other locations across the state, but no action has been taken against the companies. “Instead, the Transport Department has targeted protesters. Therefore, the forum has decided to intensify the protest with a full-scale statewide strike,” he said.
A previous general strike called by the forum a month ago had caused significant disruption for passengers in Pune, leaving many stranded at the airport, bus stations, and other transport hubs.
The forum has urged passengers to plan their travel in advance and expressed hope that the strike will push authorities to enforce fair practices in the management of gig transport services.
