Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers
 | |
| Founded | 19th December 2019 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Members | 36 Thousand above (claimed)[1] |
| Website | www |
The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) (Hindi: इंडियन फेडरेशन ऑफ ऐप-आधारित ट्रांसपोर्ट वर्कर्स, Indiyan phedareshan oph aip-aadhaarit traansaport varkars) is a trade union federation of ride-sharing transport workers. In India, this includes the workers on platforms such as Ola, Uber.The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) is a trade union federation representing app-based transport workers in India, including those working with platforms like Ola and Uber. Established in December 2019, IFAT advocates for fair treatment and improved working conditions for its members.
As of 2023, Prashant Bhagesh Sawardekar serves as the National President of IFAT. He is also the founder and president of the Maharashtra App-Based Transport Workers Union (MAT), which is affiliated with IFAT. Prashant Bhagesh Sawardekar has been instrumental in organizing strikes and advocating for the rights of app-based transport workers.
Advocate, Udaykumar Anant Ambonkar holds the position of National General Secretary of IFAT since 2023. With a background in law and extensive experience in trade union activism, Ambonkar has been actively involved in negotiating wage settlements and representing workers in various legal forums.
Under their leadership, IFAT continues to strive for the welfare and rights of app-based transport workers across India.
History
[edit]IFAT was founded on 19–20 December 2019 at a conference in Mumbai.[2] Demands at its founding conference included a minimum price per kilometer, a welfare board for drivers and government insurance.[1][3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IFAT demanded that companies should provide their workers with pipment and called on the government to provide insurance to gig transport workers. According to the union, over 38,000 workers took part in nationwide protests for these demands in June 2020.[4] The union also criticized the decision by companies to make downloading the Aarogya Setu contact tracing app mandatory for drivers, saying that it would allow the companies to track their workers.[5] In September of that year, IFAT workers with Swiggy went on strike to demand the restoration of an old payment structure in which they received more money for deliveries between three and six kilometers.[6]
In February 2021, IFAT workers went on strike in Telangana Hyderabad, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Gujrat, Chennai, Odisha, demanding an increase in fares to compensate for rising fuel prices.[7]
In September 2021, IFAT filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court, with regards to the employee classification, specifically inclusion in the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers: A case study. China Labour Bulletin (Report). 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers launched in Mumbai" (Press release). International Transport Workers Federation. 23 December 2019.
- ^ Ajeet Mahale (22 December 2019). "Cab aggregator unions form national federation". The Hindu.
- ^ Abhinav Narayan Jha (12 June 2020). "Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato आदि के ड्राइवर पार्टनर्स ने PPE किट और हाइजीन सपोर्ट की कमी पर जताया विरोध". Tech Samvad. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ "App-based workers worry over misuse of Aarogya Setu by employers". New Indian Express. 4 June 2020.
- ^ Nanisetti, Serish (22 September 2020). "Food delivery executives continue agitation". The Hindu.
- ^ Sawardekar, Prashant (18 February 2021). "Mumbai: Cab drivers hold protest, demand increase in taxi fare/Maharashtra App-Based Transport Workers Union (MAT) field the petition in Mumbai High court".
- ^ Naraharisetty, Rohitha (22 September 2021). "Gig and Delivery Workers Approach Supreme Court Seeking Social Security". The Swaddle. Retrieved 5 June 2022.