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I spoke to five pathao riders. Speaking with more soon. Most of them are hurt, dejected, and feel that a company that profits of their labor have been exploiting them. Here are some of their concerns with explanation.
Riders a/c are frequently suspended without being informed why. To reactivate their a/c they are made to pay a fine of 1130 rupees every time. One of their demands is that Pathao give a prior notice and explain why they are being suspended.
Riders are made to wear this jumper suit in bright neon colors that are uncomfortable...Pathao calls its body protection gear but riders think it is only a marketing gimmick for Pathao+ riders are being forced to buy this BPG for 2000 rupees but they only receive receipt for1500.
the other 500 is being withheld as security deposit. The quality of the material is so crappy that all riders think they will lose their security deposit. riders are resistant to this becuz they dont want to be identified as doing lowly work to their neighbors/ friends/ family...
than the issue of insurance is there, which seems to have been sorted but riders are confused as they say nothing official has happened yet. On dec 24, they received a message in the app saying they will receive insurance. after 24 hours the message disappeared and riders...
riders fear that they might be hoodwinked...no body is arguing how great the services are from a consumer point of view...Most of the TV coverage/ media coverage I have seen prioritize the perspective of the company but very few seem to care to put the riders's perspective.
riders who were protesting have been arrested by the police and clips taken by tv journalist are being used to identify protestors and arrest them etc...
My personal observation is that the resistance to BPG says a lot about Nepal's casteist attitude to labor(often articulated as a shameful work) and I am surprised how quickly nationalistic rhetoric took over the language through which the riders were expressing their grievances.
Also a lot of anti -trans language among the riders while speaking shit about the company. This was heartbreaking.
