Grab drivers in Vietnam call for a two-day app boycott
In Vietnam, drivers for the ride-hailing service Grab called on colleagues via social media not to accept orders on September 12 and 13. They say that higher service fees have reduced their earnings to an unacceptable level.
Call on social media
Drivers posted screenshots on Facebook showing reduced payouts and urged other drivers to turn off the app on Saturday and Sunday as a sign of protest. In one post in the open Vietnam Grab Driver Community group, which has 169,000 members, a user called on drivers to unite, turn off the app and demand fairness.
According to Channel NewsAsia, citing Reuters, Grab did not immediately comment on a request regarding the call for a boycott.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Complaints about deductions
According to the state-run outlet VTC News, drivers say that after Grab changed its payment structure in July, deductions could reach 50% of a trip’s fare. At that level of deductions, net income would be about 2,600 dong, or US$0.10, per kilometre for motorcycle trips and about 6,000 dong, or US$0.2317, per kilometre for car trips.
Drivers also have to pay for fuel, maintenance and vehicle depreciation from these funds. At the same time, one member of the Facebook group noted that if Grab leaves Vietnam, drivers could be left without earnings. Grab is one of the country’s largest ride-hailing service operators and also provides food delivery and other digital services.
