Essential Services To Halt In Pune As Uber, Zomato, Swiggy Workers Call For Bandh

Pune, 18th October 2023: Residents of Pune are set to face a day of inconvenience as Uber rickshaw and cab services, along with food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato, will be shut down for 24 hours. The bandh, called by gig workers and drivers associated with these platforms, aims to draw attention to their demands for more robust legal protections.

Workers and drivers have demanded the swift passage of the ‘Gig Workers Registration and Welfare Act.’ In addition, Ola-Uber rickshaw drivers are pressing the government to enact the ‘Cab Aggregator Act.’

The bandh comes at a time when digital platforms are increasingly embedded in the daily lives of Pune residents. Whether it’s hailing a rickshaw, ordering a meal, or securing other services, the ease of booking from a smartphone has made these platforms indispensable. The bandh is likely to pose challenges for the residents who have grown reliant on these services for their daily activities.

The closure of these essential services is expected to disrupt the normal routine for many in Pune, from commuters who rely on Uber for transportation to families that depend on Swiggy and Zomato for meals.

The demands by the workers highlight the growing need for legal frameworks that can address the unique challenges faced by employees in the gig economy. Their call for action seeks not only improved job security but also enhanced social protections.

While the impact of the bandh will be felt most immediately by residents, its implications extend to a broader conversation about labor rights in the era of digital platforms. Whether or not the workers’ demands will catalyze legislative action remains to be seen.