Before heading over to this story, here’s an overview of the world economic situation today. While China’s economy remains unexpectedly strong, of course, the USA economy, too, making it difficult to pick a winner later this year, where plans are already drafted in favor of the West.
Now for today’s news. Uber drivers in the beautiful destination of Dortmund are protesting. Yes, they are in protest. The reason: very lenient regulations on their platforms.
These German Uber drivers took to the streets in Dortmund and beyond, perhaps even nationwide recently, calling for stricter regulations for ridesharing services like Uber.
The rallies started in Dortmund and Düsseldorf, followed by protests in the Berlin capital, as well as in other major cities like Stuttgart, Bremen, Mainz and Cologne.
There were also protests in the financial hub prior to these.
Dortmund is a fascinating city in Germany. Of course, beer, and of course, football. This thriving and diverse city in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state has etched a significant mark in German and European history.
Situated in the heart of the Ruhr Valley, Dortmund has successfully transformed from a historic coal and steel center into a modern hub for technology, education, and culture, while remaining famously passionate about beer glasses and the soccer ball.
The image published on Reuters showed tarpaulin stuck on the front of the cars, with words of protest.
“Hundreds of Uber taxi and other rental transport service drivers protest against low pay and demand an increase in [the minimum ride price in Dortmund, Germany, on June 22nd],” Reuters indicated in the caption.
Michael Oppermann, the managing director of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association, one of those leading the protests, told Ridesharingforum.com, "We are demanding equality of arms: minimum prices for everyone, not just for us.”
So, why exactly are these drivers in protest?
Well, aside from too lenient regulations and terms for the platform, they are demanding minimum fare charges for rental cars.
Based upon information from the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars, this action targets competitive distortions that, from the industry’s point-of-view, they are created by ridesharing apps for Uber
Simultaneously, the companies demand the implementation of the recommendations of a traffic study commissioned by the City of Dortmund. While ridesharing drivers in the USA are calling for revoking the category of independent contractors, this is the thing happening in Germany.
Uber Germany is among the strongest markets of the ridesharing app around the world. According to Statista, the German ridesharing market is projected to witness a significant market increase in the coming years.
Plus, these protesters are also getting more advanced. Beyond rallying in the streets, they are also reportedly going to launch a massive e-mail campaign to push their agenda forward. For more ridesharing news, keep following RSF!