Women Gig Workers Protest Against Urban Company’s New Terms of Reference

Women Gig Workers Protest Against Urban Company’s New Terms of Reference

Urban Company, a popular gig economy platform, faced protests from hundreds of women gig workers at its Bengaluru office on June 10, 2024. The protest was against the company’s new terms of reference, which the workers claimed were “horrific” and forced them to work under “slavery-like situations.” The workers, part of the Gig and Platform Services Workers Union (GIPSWU), alleged that the new terms introduced an “auto pilot mode” that took away their liberty to select work assignments. They also claimed that the company allowed only two cancellations per worker per month and that they were at risk of losing their employment if there were more cancellations.

Key Demands

The protesting workers made several demands, including:

1. Reinstatement of Permanently Banned User IDs: The workers demanded that the company reinstate permanently banned user IDs.
2. Permanent Dissolution of the Policy of Permanent Blocking: The workers demanded that the company dissolve its policy of permanently blocking user IDs.
3. No Changes on the UC Platform Without Consent: The workers demanded that the company not make any changes on the UC platform without their consent.
4. Flexibility in Working Operations: The workers demanded flexibility in working operations, including the ability to cancel jobs and take breaks without penalty.
5. Prompt Payout of Credit Refunds and Conveyance Charges: The workers demanded prompt payout of credit refunds and conveyance charges upon last-minute customer cancellations.

Soon in @TGPWU @urbancompany_UC in Hyderabad 👇

Women gig and Platform workers strike down the biggest digital service platform in the tech city Bengaluru. Hundreds of women workers part of India's first women gig and Platform workers led digital service sector union –

1/4 pic.twitter.com/sZky2eZ0DT

— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) June 10, 2024

Urban Company has been facing recurring strikes from partners and gig workers associated with its platform regarding the company’s ‘auto assign’ features, ID blocking issues, and a costly grievance remedy. The company has been accused of circumventing basic legal structures under the guise of technological platforms. The protesting workers claimed that the company’s new terms of reference were in direct conflict with the principles and protections guaranteed by various legislations.

The protest by Urban Company’s women gig workers highlights the growing concerns among gig workers about their working conditions and the lack of protections they face. The company’s new terms of reference have been criticized for taking away the workers’ liberty to select work assignments and penalizing them for not showing up for orders due to personal or family emergencies. The workers’ demands for reinstatement of permanently banned user IDs, permanent dissolution of the policy of permanent blocking, and flexibility in working operations are a testament to their determination to fight for their rights and improve their working conditions.