Careem has become a frequently used ride-hailing service not only in Pakistan but in many parts of the world. The application has become a necessity especially for the employed ones besides students and the working class.
Recently, a Careem app user shared her personal experience that how the captains are facing severe financial issues due to the binding payment rules.
In a series of tweets, Mahnoor (customer) stated that, “An elderly man who was almost started crying when he found out my ride is on credit. It was his 5th ride on credit of the day” and it was because of the fact that the driver was not sure of when he will be getting the amount by the driving application.
Mahnoor had urged the social media users of paying the fare in cash form through her tweets. Let’s have a look at them:
Currently in a Careem ride with an elderly man who was almost started crying when he found out my ride is on credit. It was his 5th ride on credit of the day.
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
Have heard this from multiple captains that @CareemPAK does not pay them fare from credit rides on time and they have to keep paying for fuel from their own pockets for the day. They go home at they end of the day they have almost no cash in their hands.
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
She had also emphasized on the fact that one should take care of the Careem captains as they are not having any other perks and security other than the basic fare which they get after going through all those long rides.
I may be wrong about some of the specifics but it is difficult to deny that workers for ride sharing companies are not guaranteed work place rights that workers in more traditional companies do get. There are no health benefits or pension or job stability in this sector either
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
Clearly there needs to be an emergence of laws around this new economic sector. In the meantime we need to exert pressure on these companies to treat their workers like humans.
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
She had also mentioned of a strike in the USA against the strict policy by Careem and wants to see such actions being taken in Pakistan also:
Have heard of an Uber/Lyft strike iwhich might be happening n the US. Maybe we need to do something similar. A day where captains do not take rides but more importantly users also do not BOOK rides. because as my captain today told me
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
if we strike they still have many more people willing to work for them. because have you seen the inflation and unemployment rates?
— mahnoor (@emo_ontheinside) May 8, 2019
With a number of promos being offered to its customers, these ride-hailing services have made their own space into the industry.
The ride-hailing company has been making many changes for customers payment method since their arrival in Pakistan, however, both commuters and the firm should look into the alleged delay in reimbursement of the payment made through a credit facility.
