The transportation industry has taken a major hit amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In this scenario, San-Francisco based Uber is doing its bit to keep its driver-partners motivated. Uber recently announced that it has started rolling out the first batch of grants from Rs 25 crore Uber Care Driver Fund, which has been created in collaboration with social entities like Give India. As a part of this initiative, Uber is transferring small amounts of money into the accounts of drivers in order to assist them in accessing regular essentials like food and medicine.
Stay home if you can. And with drivers, delivery people, and restaurants, we’ll help #MoveWhatMatters:
10 million free rides and deliveries of food for frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need.
Learn more → https://t.co/zH3Yam5P7D
— Uber (@Uber) March 31, 2020
Apart from this, Uber is also creating a Hospital Cash Insurance policy, which will cover hospital expenses of drivers in regard to COVID-19 or any other illness requiring upto 14 days of hospitalization.
Pradeep Parameswaran, President, Uber India, and South Asia urged riders, corporate partners, philanthropists, and the general public to come forward and help those in need.
According to reports, Uber is looking to raise another 25 Cr. INR from employees, CSR funds, riders, and citizens in collaboration with the crowdfunding organization Milaap. As of now, Uber employees have already contributed 17 lakhs to the fund. These funds will also be rolled out to UberMedic, Uber Essential, and Uber’s last-mile delivery service drivers.
The ones who have always moved you forward, need help in moving past these times. Contribute to the Uber Care Driver Fund. Even a small donation can go a long way. #MoveWhatMatters. Contribute here: https://t.co/ILnKRJjgLw pic.twitter.com/oVuKIM2Vyo
— Uber India (@Uber_India) April 9, 2020
Apart from these, Uber has drafted a few other initiatives to fight the existing pandemic and help driver-partners. These include:
- Zero Uber Commissions to be be paid by UberMedic and all Uber delivery service driver-partners, thus allowing them to keep the entire billed amount.
- Free medical consultations for driver-partners and their families, along with up to 20 percent discount on medicines and up to 40 percent discount on lab tests anywhere in India.
- Uber is trying to impose EMI relief for driver-partners