Cab and autorickshaw drivers across India are set to observe a nationwide one-day strike today, protesting against illegal bike taxi services and what they describe as unfair fare policies of app-based companies, including Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The strike will involve drivers associated with app-based platforms as well as traditional cab and autorickshaw operators.

“The strike will involve drivers associated with app-based platforms as well as traditional cab and autorickshaw operators. Illegal bike taxi services are operating openly across the country despite repeated warnings from transport authorities. Such services have led to fatal accidents in Mumbai, resulting in deaths and permanent disabilities. As bike taxi services are not legally permitted in several states, accident victims are often denied insurance coverage, which unions described as a serious public safety concern,” president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha and the Indian Gig Workers Forum, Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar told mid-day.