Since Monday, December 20 more than 50 women ‘partners’ of Urban Company have been camping and protesting outside company’s office. The women partners are from Spa and Salon vertical of home service provider Urban Clap Technologies India Private Limited.
Urban Company filed a lawsuit against women partners, seeking directions to workers, their family members and associates to stop the illegal protest and vacate the area. The workers are currently protesting in the main entrance and parking lot area.
The company has asked court for Permanent Prohibitory Injunction against “demonstration, dharna, rally, gherao, peace march, shouting slogans, entering or assembling on or near the office premises.”
In October, over 100 partners associated and staged protest against the company. The demands were better pay, safer working conditions and social security benefits.
Issues and Demands of Urban Company Partners
Current issue of the partners/gig workers is regarding new subscription system that asks workers to pay an upfront fee of 3000-2000.
According to a worker the new policy asks them to pay 3000 for Prime and 2000 for Classic Subscription Plan under ‘Minimum Guarantee Plan’ policy. She said if I won’t do 40 jobs in a month then I will lose Rs 3000. Company is not ready to call us employees and does not gives any employee benefits. When we are just freelancers for company then why we should give up our work flexibility.
Another problem workers have is introduction of a new category ‘Flexi’. Flexi penalizes workers that do not participate in subscription system. It also penalizes workers that have low response rates. The workers can only work for three days in a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) due to this category.
Workers present at the protest site told about a third issue. Urban Company is asking workers to give 10% discounts to customers from their own earnings.
AIGWU Stands with Partners
All India Gig Workers Union tweeted “We call upon consumers to show their solidarity as Urban Company management sues its women gig workers for protesting unfair work conditions. #BoycottUrbanCompany and uninstall the app!”
