Uber is facing a very troublesome week as the transportation services company receives the backlash in relation to U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order that implements a temporary ban on immigrants from Muslim countries. CEO Travis Kalanick's relationship with Trump and his exploitation of a taxi protest against the ban are the main reasons behind this backlash.
Last Friday, Trump decided to ban people from seven predominantly Muslim nations including Syria, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, and Libya. This move is widely criticized by the media including The New York Times which described it a bigoted, cowardly, self-defeating policy. Many immigrants from the mentioned countries were detained upon their arrival at U.S. airports.
Uber drivers in New York City are protesting against Trump's ban as well as the drivers of the city's yellow taxis. The anti-Uber New York Taxi Workers Alliance staged an hour-long strike to express their support for the detained immigrants.
The hashtag #DeleteUber trended on Twitter and other social media outlets after app drivers continued picking up passengers at JFK airport. According to alliance director Bhairavi Desai, it is heartwarming to receive such enormous support for their strike.
Meanwhile, Kalanick is being criticized for agreeing to be a member of Trump's advisory panel. He defended his decision on Facebook stating that his engagement with the government can make a difference.
In an email posted on Uber's website, Kalanick pledged to compensate the drivers affected by Trump's ban. The company created a $3 million legal defense fund and will compensate lost earnings. The CEO expressed his concern for its legal workers who left the country and won't be able to return due to the ban.
According to Kalanick, Uber will provide 24/7 legal support for drivers who are trying to go back into the country. It will urge the government to reinstate the right of U.S. residents to travel, whatever their country of origin.
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