Hyderabad, Feb 6 (NationPress) App-based transport workers throughout India affiliated with Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other app-based ride-hailing services will stage a nationwide "breakdown" on Saturday in response to declining earnings and escalating exploitation.

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT) have initiated this All-India "breakdown".

On Friday, they announced that the "breakdown" aims to protest against diminishing incomes and increasing exploitation resulting from the government's failure to establish minimum base fares as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

Shaik Salahuddin, the founder President of TGPWU and co-founder of IFAT, pointed out that despite the existing guidelines, aggregator companies persist in unilaterally determining fares, thereby placing workers in untenable working conditions.

The unions' primary demands include the urgent establishment of minimum base fares for app-based transport services, developed in collaboration with recognized worker unions, as required under the Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

Additionally, they are calling for a strict ban on the use of private (non-commercial) vehicles for commercial passenger and goods transport, or the mandatory conversion of such vehicles to commercial status in compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and the Aggregator Guidelines, 2025.

TGPWU and IFAT have urged both the Central and state governments to engage in immediate discussions with worker representatives to ensure fair, lawful, and sustainable regulation of the app-based transport industry.

Salahuddin informed IANS that auto-rickshaw and cab drivers associated with Ola, Uber, Porter, and other platforms will join the strike either by canceling ride requests or by completely turning off their ride-hailing applications.

According to the TGPWU founder President, Telangana is home to approximately 250,000 auto-rickshaw drivers, 150,000 cab drivers, and around 50,000 Porter drivers.

Previously, TGPWU had sent a communication to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and other officials, notifying them of the decision to observe the All-India "breakdown".

They demanded that the Central and state governments promptly establish minimum bus fares for app-based transport services (including autos, cabs, bike taxis, and other aggregator-based services), to be determined in consultation with recognized driver and worker unions.