Unions are demanding urgent support as a poll revealed some drivers are taking home £750 a week less than a year ago.
Scots Uber drivers are being forced off the road as soaring fuel prices triggered by the war in the Middle East mean it’s cheaper to stay at home than go out to work.
Unions are demanding urgent support as a poll revealed some drivers are taking home £750 a week less than a year ago.
GMB Scotland said drivers on the ride-sharing app are paying far more at the pump because of the Iran war while fares have remained the same or fallen.
GMB’s Paul McLaughlin said one in three drivers are ready to quit because they can no longer make ends meet. He added: “The price at of fuel at the pumps is soaring by pounds not pennies while the cost of living crisis spirals.
“Our members are being squeezed tighter and tighter and it cannot continue indefinitely. There will be a breaking point when they simply can no longer afford to work. They urgently need support or many will be driven out of the industry.”
GMB is urging Uber to match a relief package of support given to drivers in Australia, who are now being paid an extra five cents per kilometre.
The GMB survey found two out of three drivers say they are working longer hours than a year ago to make up for the extra costs in fuel, with one in five working more than 60 hours a week.
Almost all of them said their income has been hit by rising fuel costs, with two out of five saying it has reduced significantly. One third of the drivers admitted that they are struggling to continue working.
One driver said: “With added fuel costs and Uber lowering prices during the holiday period, I’ve had the worst few weeks. I can’t justify staying out for the prices offered. I can’t afford to run the car on such cheap journeys. I am down £150 per day from my normal wage and am just constantly worried about earning enough to refuel and support my family.”
Another told the union: “Sometimes staying at home is cheaper than working but I am getting further and further into debt.
“I’m working a lot more hours for less money. Fuel’s more expensive and fares are cheaper. How are we meant to keep going.”
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