Lower fares backfire against Uber Qatar after drivers take action
Summary
Date Reported: 30 Apr 2016
Location: Qatar
Companies
Uber - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Transport: General , Gender not reported )Issues
Poverty WagesResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
A meeting...between Uber officials and drivers in Qatar ended in an impasse, according to some drivers, who say they’ll continue refusing to pick up passengers during certain times of the day to protest new, lower fares...Uber...announced it was reducing its fares by 15 percent in an effort to attract more passengers. The technology company takes a 20 percent commission from fares, and the move means drivers take in even less money per trip...Several other drivers...are on “strike” and have refused to open up the mobile application that connects them with Uber customers. The drivers aren’t directly employed by Uber and actually work for private limousine companies...To put pressure on Uber, drivers...plan to coordinate and log off from the company’s system in unison at different times of the day...A Dubai-based Uber spokesperson told Doha News that company representatives were meeting with drivers...to discuss their concerns...Uber general manager Chris Free said the company would be guaranteeing its drivers a certain level of earnings, or Uber would make up the difference.