EasyCab drivers find owners tough

EasyCab drivers find owners tough
DH News Service,Bangalore:
A section of the EasyCab drivers at the Bengaluru International Airport went off the roads on Monday, seeking justice against the alleged harassment by their owners.



They staged a protest at the trumpet flyover near the airport and raised slogans against the owners.
The drivers said they were forced to either come to streets or commit suicide due to the alleged exploitation by their employers. The owners reportedly made several promises before entering into a contract with the drivers which were not fulfiled.

Though the drivers were assured of Rs 4,500 of business a day, it was tough to earn even Rs 2,500. Before handing over the cabs, the employers collected empty cheques and bond papers signed by the drivers but the documents pertaining to the cabs are not handed over to them. A driver committed suicide last week and another driver made an attempt to end his life, due to the alleged harassment by the owners.

Also, the cab drivers sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family members of the deceased driver Prakash. They also wanted stern action to be initiated against those responsible for the incident.

According to the protesting drivers, M R Prakash (42), an EasyCab driver and a resident of Yelahanka consumed poison due to the alleged harassment. He could not operate the cab for 54 days as the owners delayed repair of the cab, after it developed some problem, they said.

Financial burden
He found it difficult to pay installment of Rs 900 every day. The owners demanded Rs 2 per kilometre from the time he started driving the cab, when Prakash offered to return the cab. He ended his life as he was unable to bear the torture and financial constraints. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.

Another driver Nagesh (35) also tried to consume poison. He was immediately rushed to a hospital. However, he is recovering. The two incidents have forced a few other drivers to follow suit, added Raghu, a driver.
When contacted, Recruitment Manager, EasyCabs, Unnikrishnan refuted the charges. There are 400 cabs. Not all of them are staging protest. Only a section of the drivers have resorted to stir. Every driver has to follow rules of the company. There are some drivers who earn more than Rs 3,500.

“We made alternate arrangements for those who had booked the cabs in advance. Our officials are holding meeting with the protesting drivers and things will be okay by tomorrow,” he said.