BluSmart Collapse Leaves 10,000 Drivers In The Dark, Without Pay Or Clarity
A sudden halt in operations by BluSmart, an electric ride-hailing service, has left more than 10,000 driver partners without work or answers. The abrupt suspension, which caught both commuters and employees off guard, has sparked outrage across the gig worker community.
Many drivers say they received no prior notice from the company and are now grappling with uncertainty around their income and job status. The Gig Workers Association (GigWA), which represents several of the affected drivers, voiced serious concerns about the company’s handling of the situation, reported IANS.
Pending Payments And Calls For Compensation
Among the most pressing issues raised by GigWA is the matter of unpaid dues. According to the association, numerous drivers are still waiting for their weekly incentives—amounting to Rs 8,000 per driver—that BluSmart had committed to. In addition to the immediate clearance of all pending payments, the group is also pushing for financial relief.
“This unexpected halt has left thousands of drivers without income or clarity about their employment status,” GigWA said in a public statement. The association is now demanding that BluSmart compensate each affected driver with three months’ worth of income to help mitigate the impact of the abrupt job loss.
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SEBI Probe Adds To The Turmoil
The timing of the suspension coincides with serious regulatory scrutiny. BluSmart’s co-founder, Anmol Jaggi, is currently under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) over alleged misuse of funds earmarked for electric vehicle purchases. The probe is focused on Gensol, a company linked to BluSmart, which is now undergoing a forensic audit initiated by the market regulator.
Driver partners say they have been completely sidelined during this crisis. Many of them do not own the vehicles they operate, leaving them particularly vulnerable. GigWA has urged the company to step in and offer alternate employment options to the affected workforce.
“The sudden cessation of BluSmart's services has not only disrupted the lives of its drivers but also raised concerns about the accountability of platform-based companies towards their workforce,” the association said.
Nitesh Kumar Das, Organising Secretary of GigWA, warned that protests are on the horizon if BluSmart fails to act swiftly. “If BluSmart does not meet their demands,” he said, “the drivers will take to the streets in protest.”
Until the abrupt shutdown, BluSmart had more than 10,000 active driver partners operating under its platform.
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