The ride-hailing firm, Ola, has announced the creation of a COVID-19 fund that will help its drivers who have been affected by the pandemic. To find some of those eligible for the fund, the company is working with the government to temporarily affected drivers' accounts on hold.
Under the plans, Ola drivers in Australia will be able to claim financial assistance for up to 14 days if they are required to self-isolate as a result of exposure or overseas travel. Those claiming the money will have their accounts put on hold for the duration to prevent further spread of the disease. The amount a driver will receive varies, the firm will look at individual average daily earnings and pay this amount to the driver.
Discussing the measure, Simon Smith, Head of International at Ola, said:
“The health and safety of our driver-partners continue to be a top priority for us. While we continue to share health advisories to raise awareness levels, the COVID-19 fund adds a much-needed layer of financial security for drivers and their families in these challenging times.”
For those drivers that are still working, Ola’s best-practice guide highlights the importance of practising recommended personal and vehicle hygiene. Additionally, the company has driver care and safety response teams that are available any time which can deal with any concerns that drivers have. The firm also has a free mental health hotline and counselling service for any drivers that want those services too.
Ola announced earlier that it was suspending all operations in New Dehli, India, until March 31 to comply with a local state government order aimed at curbing COVID-19 infection rates.
