Strike: Bolt, Uber, Others To Join NLC

E-hailing companies Bolt, Uber, Rida, and Indriver, among others, have said that their drivers will join the Nigeria Labour Congress' (NLC) scheduled strike action beginning on June 7th. 

Drivers affiliated with the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON) advised all of their members to stop providing services as of the specified date because the e-hailing companies have turned down their demand for a 200% price increase on their platforms.

They said that they are also protesting the significant commission fees levied by app-based transportation firms.  

The drivers' union informed its members of its service withdrawal as follows: 

“Sequel to the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at her meeting on 2nd June 2023 over the increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit PMS by Federal Government of Nigeria through NNPCL and the failure of application Companies to meet our demands of 200% fare increase and 50% reduction in commission, this is to inform all state councils and Branch Chapters of our great union across Nigeria to begin mobilisation for the nationwide action and withdrawal of our service from app-based companies, which would commence on Wednesday 7th June 2023. 

“All Regional Vice Presidents are to coordinate their Region by ensuring that state council and Branch chapters mobilize their members for total compliance, also note that each of our members must fully comply with the directive.” 

The drivers' union had requested over the weekend that the minimum trip charge be fixed at N2,000 and that Uber, Bolt, Lagride, and Indriver among others immediately revise their pricing upward by 200%.

The drivers' demand was accompanied by concerns about how the new fuel price would affect their fellow drivers.  

In a statement, the union's national president, Adedamola Adeniran, said that the new gasoline price was having a negative impact on the income and patronage of its members, necessitating a 200% price rise on all platforms.  

Adediran claimed that unlike independent cab drivers, branded taxi drivers, bus drivers and others, app-based drivers were unable to independently raise the fee.

Additionally, he advised the businesses to refrain from deactivating any drivers as a result of the elimination of gasoline subsidies. 

In their request for the ride-hailing firms to provide a 5% subsidy to lessen the impact of the rise on the passengers, the drivers also argued on behalf of the riders who will suffer the brunt of the hike.

In addition to the price rise, the drivers are calling for a 50% decrease in the commission fees levied by companies like Bolt, Uber, and others.