E-hailing drivers under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union
Of App-Based Transport Workers Of Nigeria (AUATWON) have shutdown operations
over low fares.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was also in protest of
the high commission rates set by Uber and Bolt — the two biggest ride-hailing
service providers in Nigeria.
The development comes amid increased petrol pump prices in
Africa’s biggest economy after authorities scrapped subsidy payments on the
commodity.
Last week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited adjusted the price of petrol from N185 to over N500 across its retail outlets, leading to an exponential surge in the prices of goods and services.
Operators said that the strike commenced on Wednesday after a
brief meeting in Lagos.
“The strike is on. Bolt still maintains 25 percent
commission with just N100 increment with this present price of petrol,” a
source said.
“Some buy as high as N600 per litre and as low as N550. The
fair is nothing to write home about, especially with the traffic situation in
Lagos.
“So the strike has
started. But for those who have personal needs to meet, they can take ride
requests offline.”
Also justifying the industrial action, a driver who
identified as Azeez, lamented the harsh economic realities in the country.
He said the cost of spare parts has jumped to 300 percent
over the last four months.
“I bought fuel for N13,500 on Sunday and I did a trip of
N21,200. Bolt has taken N5,300 as their commission. I am left with N15,900,”
Azeez said.
“Deduct N13,500 [for
petrol], I am left with N2,400 and I drove for about eight hours for that day.
“Look at it. If my car should break down or I have an
emergency will N2,400 be able to take care of my situation?”
‘THE BUSINESS HAS
BECOME UNPROFITABLE’
In an official statement on Wednesday, the association said
the latest removal of subsidy, which has increased the prices of petrol by over
270 percent, coupled with the “unreasonable 25 percent commission charge on
every trip, has further put the business and investment in an unprofitable
state”.
The app-transport workers said they are struggling to
survive and can no longer cope with the situation.
Hence, the drivers are demanding an increase in fare by 200
percent and a reduction of commission by 50 percent.
The operators are also asking the companies to stop the
unlawful deactivation of drivers, and implement an “open collective bargaining
with AUATWON”.
“We’ve passed our demands to the application companies but
they’ve refused to attend to them,” the statement reads.
“We are using this
opportunity to call on the fleet managers, driver-partners, and app-base
transport workers across Nigeria, to support this strike fully and understand,
that our service(s) must be withdrawn during this protest and moratorium or
waiver should be given to all drivers on rentals or higher purchase.
“This is a solidarity step we must take together to protect
our investment as fleet managers, secure our business as workers, and secure
our job as app drivers.
“We are confident
this will give us a better and profitable industry that will encourage every
stakeholder.”
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