The hike in petrol and diesel prices, by the government, has resulted in a nationwide outrage. Gig workers are on a temporary strike on Saturday(May 16) nationwide. Cab drivers and delivery workers associated with the app-based platforms have been asked to not work from 12noon to 5pm, in protest against rising fuel prices, and low wages.The Gig and Platform Services Workers Union(GIPSWU) has appealed to the workers to participate in the protest, saying that the hike in fuel prices and low wages have created an acute livelihood crisis among thousands of drivers and delivery partners.Appeal for movement via social mediaIn a tweet to X, the union posted "GIPSWU appeals to gig and platform workers across the country to call off services temporarily on app-based services between 12noon and 5pm, in protest against rising fuel prices and inadequate wages." They believe that app companies are not revising fare prices and incentives in keeping pace with the rising costs of drivers.Increase in prices of petrol and dieselThe move is in reaction to a price hike by oil companies, who had recently increased the prices of petrol and diesel by roughly 3 per liter. Recent price of petrol in Delhi is roughly 97.77 a liter and diesel 90.67 per liter, whereas in Hyderabad petrol has touched 110.8 a liter and diesel 98.9 a liter.Oil companies have apparently resorted to the price hike due to disruption in global energy markets and tensions in Strait of Hormuz, which has fueled the surge in crude oil prices to about 105$ per barrel from about 70$ per barrel.'It's difficult to even run the household...'Mohammad who is an app-based taxi driver stated, "Every time petrol and diesel prices are hiked, their expenses automatically rise. But fare doesn't increase to meet that hike. So, when they subtract their commission and fuel price, very little is left, and there's a crisis to even run the household".As the workers spend a lot of time on the roads, they argue that the price hike in fuel directly impacts their revenue and takes a large portion away, which can't be covered by the little increase in fares by the companies.Petrol and diesel rates were increased by Rs 3 per literState-run oil firms had on Friday(May 15) announced hike in fuel prices leading to an average increase of 3 rupees a liter in petrol and diesel in metropolitan cities. The pipeline cooking gas prices remained unchanged. Oil firms said that "more increase may come in the future", but the timing would depend on government approval.Oil companies face pressure tooEven after the hike, oil firms are not able to fully recover their cost price. According to Crisil, State-owned fuel retailers are currently selling petrol at a loss of about 10 per liter and diesel at 13 per liter.India's fuel prices are determined by the global market prices of oil and by taxes. India's refineries have had to pay 53% more to buy crude oil- from an average of 69 a barrel in February, to over 106 so far in May. Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices have increased by about 75% in this period.The goal of temporary strikeAccording to workers, the purpose of the short term protest is to express to the government and the app companies the growing challenges they face in supporting their families amidst rising inflation and low earnings. They further suggested that a larger-scale protest may be observed if no solution is found soon.
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