Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers
The Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) (Hindi: इंडियन फेडरेशन ऑफ ऐप-आधारित ट्रांसपोर्ट वर्कर्स, Indiyan phedareshan oph aip-aadhaarit traansaport varkars) is a trade union federation of ride-sharing transport workers. In India, this includes the workers on platforms such as Ola, Uber.The Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) is a trade union federation representing app-based transport workers in India, including those working with platforms like Ola and Uber. Established in December 2019, IFAT advocates for fair treatment and improved working conditions for its members.
As of 2023, Mr. Prashant Bhagesh Sawardekar serves as the National President of IFAT. He is also the founder and president of the [Indian Federation Of App Based Transport Workers (IFAT), has been instrumental in organizing strikes and advocating for the rights of app-based transport workers.
Adv. Udaykumar Ambonkar activist holds the position, National General Secretary of IFAT Founder secretary of Maharashtra App -Based Transport Workers Union, since 2023. With a background in organise Gig and Platform Workers and extensive experience in trade union activism, Adv.Udaykumar Ambonkar has been actively involved in negotiating wage settlements and representing workers in various legal forums national and international.
Under their leadership, IFAT continues to strive for the welfare and rights of app-based transport workers across India.
History
IFAT(Indian Federation Of App-Based Transport Workers) was founded on 19–20 December 2019 at a conference in Mumbai. Demands at its founding conference included a minimum price per kilometer, a welfare board for drivers and government insurance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IFAT(Indian Federation Of App-Based Transport Workers)demanded that companies should provide their workers with pipment and called on the government to provide insurance to gig transport workers. According to the union, over 38,000 workers took part in nationwide protests for these demands in June 2020. The union also criticized the decision by companies to make downloading the Aarogya Setu contact tracing app mandatory for drivers, saying that it would allow the companies to track their workers. In September of that year, IFAT workers with Swiggy went on strike to demand the restoration of an old payment structure in which they received more money for deliveries between three and six kilometers.
In February 2021, IFAT (Indian Federation Of App-Based Transport Workers) workers went on strike in Telangana Hyderabad, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Gujrat, Chennai, Odisha, demanding an increase in fares to compensate for rising fuel prices.
In September 2021, IFAT (Indian Federation Of App-Based Transport Workers) filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court, with regards to the employee classification, specifically inclusion in the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008.