E-HAILING drivers in the Western Cape said they would switch off their apps and park their cars at home in protest of alleged exploitation and poor working conditions.
The Western Cape E-Hailing Association chairman, Siyabonga Hlabisa, said they were fed up with being ignored by e-hailing companies when they raised their concerns.
Hlabisa said they would stay away from the roads for three days, starting on Tuesday, 14 November, to send a message to the company owners.
"The current spate of violent crimes against drivers and the deepening levels of exploitation of e-hailing drivers or operators in the Western Cape and other provinces by the major companies continue to haunt our industry and society at large," said Hlabisa.
Hlabisa said as an organisation, they always engaged drivers to understand the challenges they were facing, and the decision to stay away came from such engagements.
"Our ongoing weekly campaigning meetings with drivers or operators resulted in the leadership receiving an overwhelming mandate to initiate a programme of action that would focus on efforts outside the boardrooms," said Hlabisa.
He said their extended executive committee meeting held on Tuesday, 31 October, resolved the decision to stay home between 14 and 17 November.
Among other demands, the organisation said they wanted e-hailing companies to end the "unilateral and unfair" dismissal of drivers.
They also wanted the review of new features on the apps, such as the trip radar.
Hlabisa said they also wanted the companies to reduce the commission which they collect per trip to 15%. The companies take up to 25%, including commission and charges.
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Hlabisa said they also wanted benefits such as compensation for injury on duty and death and funeral benefits.
"Passengers are advised to make alternative transport arrangements to avoid any inconvenience as the e-hailing sector will be seriously impacted," he said.
Uber driver Johnson Mandeya told Daily Sun that low fares were hitting them hard.
"Fuel prices have increased several times in the past few months, but there are no fare adjustments by Uber. This affects us because we are now working for petrol instead of our families. This issue needs to be addressed," he said.
Uber said it is aware of the planned stay away in the Western Cape.
"We're aware of a group of e-hailing drivers planning a stay away in the Western Cape from 14 to 16 November 2023. The safety and well-being of drivers and riders is one of our utmost priorities," Uber said.
The company said it had taken several initiatives to address the concerns raised by drivers.
"That's why we have launched industry-leading safety features, such as the in-app emergency button and audio recording, as well as implementing fare increases to support earners in these tough economic times," Uber said.
"In terms of covering for injuries sustained while on a trip, Partner Injury Protection, provided by AIG Insurance, is there to help support drivers and delivery people with the costs associated with such injuries.
"Furthermore, drivers have requested more robust rider screening, particularly for cash riders. We have since begun piloting the verification of identification documents of new cash riders," the organisation said.
