Driver Mohd Kamarul Faisal Kamarulzaman, 41, claimed some had their earnings slashed by between RM1,100 and RM1,600 a month since the policy was introduced.
He said Grab was deducting more money than it should without any explanation.
“If we don’t do one job, Grab deducts RM1,” he said at a press conference called by the Small and Medium-Scale Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (Ikhlas) today.
He said even if the drivers picked up only half of the average number of 50 passengers a day, the monthly deductions were still too high.
Kamarul said the drivers were hard-pressed to support their families with their reduced earnings as some of them rented or had bought new cars just to work for Grab.
Another Grab driver, who declined to be named, said Grab had deducted RM200 of his income and some Grab drivers who had their income reduced were thinking of quitting.
“Over the past two weeks, Grab drivers have received messages that if we do not pick up a passenger, RM1 would be deducted from our income. I hope Grab reviews this policy.”
Ikhlas president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah gave Grab a week to resolve the issue, failing which the drivers would lodge a police report.
He said Grab should not victimise its drivers.
Grab recently introduced an acceptance reward and cancellation fee scheme to deter drivers from ignoring or cancelling rides.
A Grab spokeswoman said the purpose of this exercise was to ensure that drivers were conscientious of their bookings and continued to serve their passengers.
“Partners who cancel or ignore any job are penalised RM1 per job. However, they are given three chances per day before the penalty kicks in.
“On the flip side, drivers who are part of this exercise will also be rewarded with an additional RM1.50 should they complete any booking,” she said in a statement.
She said this enabled part-time drivers to earn more on top of the current earnings module and gave an opportunity to genuine and full-time drivers to accept more jobs.
She welcomed any drivers unclear of the calculations to approach them and discuss any issues they had.
“We are willing to listen to concerns and feedback.”