A nationwide demonstration will start today (Wednesday), according to the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria, which represents drivers who use the platforms of e-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt.
Today, it intends to stop offering its drivers’ services to the general public.
Drivers complained about the minimal fare increases made by ride-hailing transportation companies following the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
The rise by the app-based companies, according to a statement from the union, was between 25 and 30 percent, significantly less than the union’s demands of a 200 percent increase and, separately, a 50 percent drop in commission.
The drivers said that they had previously requested that the companies lower their commissions on the grounds that they did not correspond to industry benchmark rates since they could no longer perform their jobs under these circumstances.
They advised every app-based employee in the nation to be prepared to battle the threat until victory was attained.
The statement read in part, “The union’s technical team is versed with the operation and technicality of ride-hailing companies and on our calculations, any app company can breakeven charging below five per cent even though the union recommended a flat commission of 10 per cent or 50 per cent off their current commission during our last meeting, as we believe this will help us to cope with maintenance costs, spare parts and various overhead cost and the current fuel increase.
“We can no longer tolerate any act of dictatorial practices by any app company because we are workers and as an organised union, we have written several letters to these companies for a round table discussion where we can look at various areas of concern and dialogue but they have remained adamant with a deliberate intention to avoid responsibility.
“So, as a result of this insensitivity, the union is directing all its members across the nation to shut down their service on all ride-hailing applications from Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in protest against every dictatorial practice and lack of concern for welfare and security of App-Based Transport workers of Nigeria.”