Uber faces heavy issues: sexual harassment in India and public safety protests in Canada

Uber faces various complaints on Monday in Canada because of a perceived public threat of UberX service and on Tuesday in India due to a sexual harassment done by one of the company's licensed drivers.

UberX service a threat to public safety

Taxi drivers packed a courtroom in Toronto, Canada on Monday as the city stated its case for Uber's ride-sharing service to be regulated just like the traditional cab companies.

Canada's largest city is seeking a ruling that would stop Uber's operations unless if the company and its drivers get licensed. They are also assessing the legality of the company's phone-based app according to a report by NDTV Gadgets.

The San Francisco-based company is trying to secure a legal status worldwide while their drivers are clamoring that they "should be treated as employees, not independent contractors."

Outside Toronto's city hall, Canadian taxi drivers filled parking lots at the same time beeping their horns. Others moved in a slow procession through downtown, resulting to heavy traffic and clogging of much business. The protest was a result of a perceived threat to their livelihood that Uber seemed to be bringing.

A certain taxi driver named Akhbar Banijamaat said, "I don't mind Uber, I think it's a beautiful idea, to whoever did it, very nice. But do it legal." Banijamaat left Iran in 1980s together with his family and was already driving in Toronto for 17 years.

Protesters aimed their complaints at UberX, which according to them is a threat to public safety. The company gives UberX as a budget option that allows drivers to use their personal vehicles, besides offering services by licensed drivers.

Uber's driver faces complaints due to sexual harassment

The Gulf Times reports that the protest seems to be logical as India recently had a reported case of sexual harassment done by one of Uber's licensed drivers. Indian police arrested the 40-year-old driver due to an attempt to "forcibly" kiss his passenger at Gurgaon, a satellite city southwest of Delhi.

India Today also reported that the victim's brother said that his sister boarded the Uber cab around 9:30 PM near Nagar Pacific mall, Gurgaon.

"On the way, the driver discussed with my sister about his family. She showed sympathy towards his family's condition. When my sister got down from the car, he held her hand and kissed her. When she tried to push him back, he also molested her," he said.

This led to the arrest of the Uber driver. However, he allegedly received a bail, angering the victim and her family.

When the media contacted for queries, Uber reportedly said that "it was an 'alleged' incident and the facts had not yet been finally established."