Drivers participated in a strike on Tuesday and plan further action in the next three months. Photo: Marecia Damons
IN SUMMARY: E-hailing drivers in Western Cape call for government intervention and stricter regulations on the industry.
- Drivers from Uber, Bolt, and inDrive protested in Cape Town, demanding:
- Reinstatement of unfairly removed drivers.
- Higher pay and improved safety features.
- Removal of unfair car age limits (e.g., Uber requires cars to be no older than three years).
- Faster approval for driver permits.
- Future protest dates: 22 October, 19 November, 24 December.
- Omar Parker, WCEA secretary-general, criticized:
- Low earnings and high company commissions.
- Drivers being removed from platforms based on passenger complaints without a fair hearing.
- Drivers are pushing for:
- Legislative reforms for commission limits and vehicle safety regulations.
- Government investigation into e-hailing companies’ tax compliance.
- Wayne, an Uber driver of seven years, cited inadequate safety features and high personal safety costs.
- Naeema, an Uber driver, criticized high commission rates (e.g., Uber took 42% of her R4,000 earnings).
- Siyabonga Hlabisa, WCEA spokesperson, stated that meetings with Uber have stopped, while Bolt is engaging virtually.
- The WCEA demands a minimum rate of R13.50 per kilometre, versus current rates of under R6 for Uber X and less than R5 for Uber GO.
- Elam Nukani from the provincial Mobility Department received their memorandum and has 14 days to respond.
- Bolt plans to open a driver engagement centre in Western Cape to improve communication with drivers.
- Uber and inDrive had not responded at the time of publication.
