Ola/Uber drivers to be treated as employess: Delhi HC to decide

May 12, 2017

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought a response from Uber and Ola on whether their drivers would fall under the category of employees/workmen in order to be eligible for receiving benefits under labour laws. A notice was issued by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva to the Centre and Delhi Government on a Petition filed by the Delhi Commercial Driver Union for setting up of a committee to examine if these drivers should be classified as their employees, in order to monitor the implementation of various labour laws. This committee would also look into their grievances and make appropriate recommendations to improve their pay, working conditions, and receipt of benefits such as compensation in cases of accidents or deaths. The Petition claims to represent multiple drivers operating in Delhi NCR, and alleges that the drivers are being subjected to appalling working and pay conditions, due to “ arbitrary deductions in their payments without even giving them a chance to respond” . The Petition asserts that the drivers fall under the definition of a “ workman” under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and hence, a relationship of employer and employee exists between them. It further states that since Ola and Uber are employers under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, they must give a notice to their workmen before effecting any change in the conditions of service applicable to them. The matter will now be heard on August 10.