Uber and Didi workers’ strike: Drivers protest at Perth Airport in attempt to get better pay

Hundreds of ride share drivers are set to strike on Friday night in a bid for better pay and conditions.

Drivers for Uber and Didi will block Perth Airport’s ride share waiting area between 7pm and 9pm as they demand an improvement in pay, conditions and facilities at the airport.

Rideshare driver Morez Hossaini, one of what’s estimated to be more than 500 who will join the protest tonight, said drivers will often wait hours just for one job.

The airport’s waiting area automatically picks up car numbers and puts them in a queue upon entry, forcing them to wait for jobs.

“We need proper washroom, toilets, even under cover parking, he said.

“It is a hazard for us, sometimes we wait up to two to four hours, just for one ride.”

But on Friday night, the united drivers will fill the waiting area before turning off their apps in protest.

The action has been shared far and wide on social media via a message that says “this is for all of us; we will make them pay”.

Fellow driver Mohamed Ahmed said drivers were united in their demands for better protections.

“We pay our own registration, we pay our own insurance, we pay for fuel and we put all of our effort and energy into this; we are united, and we want to deliver our voice so we can get better working conditions,” he said.

It comes as rideshare platform Ola announced on Tuesday it would be wrapping up its service in Australia from Friday.

In an email to customers, the company said it would “discontinue operations” in Australia and New Zealand.

Perth Airport has requested extra taxis in response to Friday night’s protest action and said nearby public transport remains available.

Uber said consumers can still use its app to get around town in Perth on Friday night, and that it has “long been an advocate for better protections and standards for all Australian platform workers”.