On Saturday, February 7, 2026, app-based transport workers and commercial drivers across India initiated a nationwide “All-India Breakdown” protest. This collective action is a response to dwindling earnings, perceived exploitation by digital aggregators, and the government’s perceived failure to implement necessary regulations. The strike was organized through a joint call by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), drawing participation from drivers affiliated with major platforms including Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter.
The core grievance behind the agitation is the refusal of both Central and State authorities to officially mandate minimum base fares as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Union representatives argue that without these regulated price floors, aggregator companies maintain total control over pricing structures. This lack of oversight has allegedly forced drivers into a cycle of “unsustainable and precarious” labor, where operating costs often outweigh stagnant earnings.
Shaik Salauddin, a prominent leader representing both TGPWU and IFAT, emphasized that their primary objective is the immediate legal notification of minimum base fares. The unions are demanding that these rates be established through formal consultations with recognized worker organizations, as required by existing legal frameworks. By halting services, the workers aim to pressure the government to end the era of unilateral corporate pricing and secure a living wage for the millions of people powering India’s gig economy.
