Overview

• The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers paused its statewide strike on July 19, warning it will resume unless concrete assurances are delivered
• Other gig-worker unions led by Dr KN Kshirsagar have continued their agitation with tactics including a hunger strike and sit-in at Azad Maidan
• With 70–90% of Ola, Uber and Rapido cabs off the road across Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, commuters have faced long waits, cancellations and surge pricing
• Drivers’ core demands include fare parity with metered taxis, a ban on bike taxis, caps on permits, formation of a welfare board and enactment of the Maharashtra Gig Workers’ Act
• Maharashtra’s transport department has invited fresh negotiations by July 22 but has yet to implement its year-old state aggregator policy