Do Uber Drivers Make A Liveable Weekly Wage?
It has been found that most Uber drivers make less than five dollars per hour for their labour. According to a well-known web-based news service analysis, it has been found that on average most Uber drivers work for fifteen hours a week or less and only a small percentage of the drivers work full time which is thirty-five hours a week compared to other cabs or taxi drivers. If we crunch these numbers then we can see that these drivers can make at most a hundred and seventy-five dollars a week, that is seven hundred dollars a month. uber is hardly a liveable weekly wage in today’s economic condition and it puts these drivers at a disadvantage because of the following reasons:
Not enough to make rent and avail other necessary amenitiesNot enough to support other dependants financiallyNot enough to settle down in a decent placeCreates an unfriendly work environment
Difficulty Making Rent
In this economy where it is difficult for a hard-working individual to pay rent for accommodation and still save some for self-fulfilment purposes, let alone own a place of their own, the aforementioned average monthly figure is a very meagre amount to survive properly. One might often have to make a choice between different essential items if prices go up. For instance, if more than half of the amount goes into paying rent, considering it is a very cheap accommodation in a very cheap neighbourhood, then very little is left for groceries, bills, gas, emergencies and certainly too little for any sort of extravagant splurging.
Too Little to Support
If an uber-driving gig is their sole source of income, then a person has to first feed themselves, which in itself is a tough job given the price rise we complain about all the time. Now, if there is any other person dependent on them financially it becomes tougher. For instance, if a child depends on them then living costs will be sky high as that child will be entirely dependent on this person; in the case of young adults or even older people, the expenses will be different considering that they can still somehow shoulder a bit of this person’s burden but even then, living costs for a fully grown person is not easy to bear for someone who can barely make it on their own.
No Decent Place
If one expects to make rent out of such little monthly income and still save some then cities are out of the question, especially in developed countries. If an uber driver works the expected thirty-five hours a week then it does leave a few extra hours per day to pursue a side hustle for extra income but if one doesn’t live in a decent place then chances are that they are not surrounded by many decent opportunities, therefore, they are just stuck in an endless loop of helplessness.
Hostile Work Environment
Ultimately, when one’s daily needs are not met and they have to struggle on a daily basis even after working hard every day, a sense of resentment develops which later translates into hostility towards work, which in turn becomes hostility towards co-workers and customers. Unsatisfactory remuneration leads to strikes, customer complaints, worker complaints, unfair demands, rampant resignations and an unfriendly work environment.
What is the solution?
It is understandable that the problem is not just faced by the employees but also the employers. Fuel prices are always going up therefore, vehicle maintenance charges also increase as does the number of employees. However, the little trouble faced by the employers is not comparable to the struggles of these drivers. As different charges increase for the corporation, so do they hike the cab fares however there is no equivalent wage hike for the drivers who are the pillars holding up the entire business. If instead of pocketing every extra dollar coming in after a price hike, the workers could receive at least half things would start looking better or at least hopeful.
If you have ever travelled by an uber and considered a five-star rating for your driver’s troubles, know that behind all that hard work they are still struggling. A difference can be made by allowing these drivers to have additional benefits and focussing more on their needs. Perhaps a wage hike could create a scope for a better customer experience as well. A win-win situation overall.
