The Merged Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria has announced plans to start a nationwide protest on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 following the rise in price of fuel.
The union which represents drivers who work for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Bolt, as part of the protest, will instruct its drivers to stop providing services to the public as drivers are displeased with the relatively low increase in fares by the transport companies.
In a statement released by the union, it claimed that the increase by the app-based firms was only 25 to 30 percent, which was far from the union’s demand for a 200 percent increase and a 50 percent reduction in commissions. This according to them, has put the drivers in a position where they can no longer work under these conditions.
Previously, the union appealed to the companies to reduce their commissions, claiming that they did not reflect industry benchmark commissions. However, this appeal fell on deaf ears. The union has now called on all app-based workers across the country to join the protest.
According to the statement, the union’s technical team has calculated that any app company can break even charging below five percent, even though the union recommended a flat commission of 10 percent or a 50 percent reduction in commission during their last meeting. The union claims that this will help them cope with maintenance costs, spare parts, overhead costs, and the current fuel increase.
However, as the ride-hailing companies refused to negotiate with the union, the union has decided to take a different approach. The statement read in part, “We can no longer tolerate any act of dictatorial practices by any app company because we are workers and as an organized 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.”
As a result, the union is urging all its members across the country to shut down their services on all ride-hailing applications from June 7, 2023. This shutdown is in protest against every dictatorial practice and lack of concern for the welfare and security of App-Based Transport workers of Nigeria.
The union believes that a shutdown will prompt the ride-hailing companies to listen to their clients’ demands, and they are willing to continue with the strike until their demands are met.
